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The Severing Son
Tales of the Bringer of Urrinan had been told for generations, but never had the prophecy felt so near to so many. Elan wasn’t sure if she even believed one man could cause the sort of upheaval that would change the world. And yet, just as the prophecy foretold, dark forces were on the rise—including the many Spali warbands raiding across the borderlands.
It was in pursuit of one such warband when Elan’s host discovered the hidden compound of the Outcast. She’d heard how the former chieftain of the mighty Amalus Clan had been unjustly accused of murdering his rival. How the conflict had begun over a woman. How the Outcast’s son—born of that same woman—perfectly matched the prophecy’s foretelling of the Bringer.
Prophecy aside, it seemed that fate had led Elan into the midst of a legend. Because of a choice made in the heat of battle, Elan found herself bound to an outlaw hunted by friend and foe alike. Whether she believed in the prophecy or not, she found herself entangled with a lone figure who vowed to seek the sort of upheaval that might just change the world.
Could Vahldan, son of the Outcast, truly be the Bringer of Urrinan?
(Notice: Contains sexual content.)
It was in pursuit of one such warband when Elan’s host discovered the hidden compound of the Outcast. She’d heard how the former chieftain of the mighty Amalus Clan had been unjustly accused of murdering his rival. How the conflict had begun over a woman. How the Outcast’s son—born of that same woman—perfectly matched the prophecy’s foretelling of the Bringer.
Prophecy aside, it seemed that fate had led Elan into the midst of a legend. Because of a choice made in the heat of battle, Elan found herself bound to an outlaw hunted by friend and foe alike. Whether she believed in the prophecy or not, she found herself entangled with a lone figure who vowed to seek the sort of upheaval that might just change the world.
Could Vahldan, son of the Outcast, truly be the Bringer of Urrinan?
(Notice: Contains sexual content.)
518 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2022
49 people are currently reading
1024 people want to read
About the author
Vaughn Roycroft
4 books59 followersVaughn Roycroft has aspired to write epic fantasy since his sixth grade teacher gave him a boxed set of The Lord of the Rings. He has spent many years seeking to be worthy of telling this tale. He lives with his soul mate in a cottage they designed and built themselves, near their favorite Great Lakes beach. When he’s not writing, he’s often walking the woods and beaches, trying to keep up with his energetic black lab.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 8, 2023
Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5 stars
The Severing Son is a fast-paced modern fantasy debut with great actions and nodes to classic fantasy tropes.
The existence of The Severing Son by Vaughn Roycroft came onto my radar because of my friend and fellow booktuber, Philip Chase. He called it one of the best self-published fantasy novels he had ever read. With that praise and the beautiful cover art by John Anthony di Giovanni, I couldn't resist reading it. Vaughn Roycroft has been a kind supporter of my reviews and youtube channel. I did the cover reveal of The Severing Son, and like always, although I have interacted with him online plenty of times, this does not change my opinion of the book. And I’m glad to have read The Severing Son. Even if some sections and storytelling decisions did not vibe with my reading preference, this is a solid debut with promising potential for the rest of the series to be even better.
The Severing Son is the first book in The Sundered Nation trilogy. The story mainly revolves around two main POV characters, Vahldan and Elan. Tales of the Bringer of Urrinan had been told for generations, but never had the prophecy felt so near to so many. Elan wasn’t sure if she even believed one man could cause the sort of upheaval that would change the world. And yet, as the prophecy foretold, dark forces are rising—including the many Spali warbands raiding across the borderlands. It was in pursuit of one such warband when Elan’s host discovered the hidden compound of the Outcast. She'd heard how the former chieftain of the mighty Amalus Clan had been unjustly accused of murdering his rival. How the conflict had begun over a woman. How Vahldan, the Outcast’s son—born of that same woman—perfectly matched the prophecy’s foretelling of the Bringer. Prophecy aside, it seemed that fate had led Elan into the midst of a legend. Because of a choice made in the heat of battle, Elan found herself bound to Vahldan, an outlaw hunted by friend and foe alike. Whether she believed in the prophecy or not, Elan's fate entangled with a lone figure who vowed to seek the sort of upheaval that might change the world.
As you can tell from the premise here, prophecies and chosen ones are some of the classic fantasy tropes utilized in the story of The Severing Son. Contrary to some readers’ opinion that these tropes shouldn’t exist in fantasy now, I’m on the mind that I think they still have their place, and I certainly don’t mind reading these tropes used properly in fantasy. But before I get around to all the positives, I want to my criticisms out of the way first. And I can’t make this clear enough. This criticism will be a subjective criticism based on my experience. It’s a matter of reading preference, really. Several reviewers have mentioned John Gwynne when they talk about The Severing Son, and as a fan of John Gwynne’s books, I can understand why. The resemblance in the choices of tropes and the writing style were there. But there are significant differences at the beginning of Malice and The Severing Son. Gwynne took his time to develop the personality of the characters and their relationship with one another before plunging them into severe troubles. Because of this, the pacing in the first half can be slower than usual. I do not mind this. I actually love getting to know the characters first, and when danger visits them, the precarious situation felt more intense. But plenty of readers have mentioned the struggles with the slow-pacing of Malice. This is where The Severing Son differs a lot.
The Severing Son did not have a slow-paced beginning. It was the other way around. The beginning and the entire book were incredibly fast-paced. The first 200 pages, in particular, were too fast-paced for my liking. I wish we have more pages on the characters bonding first, especially Vahldan with his family before conflicts and disasters visit them. This slow beginning and characterizations were pivotal to my quick investment in Corban and other main characters in other coming-of-age fantasy stories. But when disasters arrived at Vahldan's and his family's home, the severity of the situation did not feel impactful enough. And then, one event after another kept happening non-stop. Vahldan practically never reflects on one of the big life-changing losses he encountered at the early stage of the novel for the rest of the book. I wanted Vahldan to reflect more on this. I wanted to feel his sorrow and pain. The relatively fast pacing from the get-go did not allow me to feel that. Because of this, despite the fast pacing, it took me 200 pages and fifteen chapters before I felt immersed in the story and the character's predicament.
Fortunately, once chapter 16, Ananth-Jahn, occurred, my criticism of the book gradually dissipated. Starting from chapter 16, the rest of the novel was smooth sailing for me. Let's put it this way. I required four days to read the first 200 pages of The Severing Son, and it took me two days to read the remaining 300 pages of the book. I think that should speak volumes about my engrossment. The manipulation, scheming, and battles were suitable for the fast pacing of the book. More importantly, with more characters and more conflicts appearing in Vahldan and Elan's life and relationship with one another, it gets much easier for me to care about them. As far as my reading experience goes, the remaining 300 pages were a far cry from the first 200 pages, in a good way.
And it needs to be mentioned how the prophecies created fascinating dynamics between the characters. I found it interesting how all the other character's behavior changes upon finding out that Vahldan is supposedly the chosen one, especially when he hasn't done many actions and feats at first. But he is charismatic. And he undoubtedly went through splendid development. He was constantly angry, and he struggled with this anger management. He always wants to resort to violence to conquer troubling situations. Some of the main themes of The Severing Son were leadership, responsibility, found family, and peace. It was rewarding to read Vahldan realized violence may not solve every crisis. And this is all thanks to the relationships he made with Elan, Teavar, and more.
The Severing Son is a fast-paced and exciting fantasy debut novel with plenty of promising potential for the rest of the trilogy to shine further. Although I had difficulty feeling invested in the characters at first, by the end of the novel, I cannot deny I am intrigued to find out the next chapter of Vahldan and Elan's story. And more because I heard from Roycroft a new POV character will be introduced in the sequel: Bold Ascension. I think this is a good decision; it will enhance the overall quality of the second novel. Yes, although The Severing Son definitely works as a standalone novel, this is actually the first book in a trilogy. But if I didn't know this is part of a trilogy, I would've thought this is a one-off standalone novel. The last big battle sequence was so well done, displaying Roycroft's skill at writing engaging action scenes. I loved the revelation behind the identity of Brin, the writer behind every epigraph in the novel. Even if you succeed at predicting Brin's identity, I believe you will still feel satisfied with the revelation regardless. The Severing Son has a satisfying ending, and I look forward to reading the sequel. Now that I am attached to the characters and story, I am confident the sequel will be even better.
You can order this book from: Blackwells (Free International shipping)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Aliysa, Anastasia, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Arliss, Barbara, Brad, Cade, Casey, Chris, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jenn, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Kristina, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Miracle, Nicholas, Norbert, Radiah, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Tori, Tracy, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
3.5/5 stars
The Severing Son is a fast-paced modern fantasy debut with great actions and nodes to classic fantasy tropes.
The existence of The Severing Son by Vaughn Roycroft came onto my radar because of my friend and fellow booktuber, Philip Chase. He called it one of the best self-published fantasy novels he had ever read. With that praise and the beautiful cover art by John Anthony di Giovanni, I couldn't resist reading it. Vaughn Roycroft has been a kind supporter of my reviews and youtube channel. I did the cover reveal of The Severing Son, and like always, although I have interacted with him online plenty of times, this does not change my opinion of the book. And I’m glad to have read The Severing Son. Even if some sections and storytelling decisions did not vibe with my reading preference, this is a solid debut with promising potential for the rest of the series to be even better.
“When Mighty Lion is cast aside
The Severing Son restores his pride
Thunder wakes when blades collide
The steed on which Urrinan rides…”—from the Song of The Severing Son
The Severing Son is the first book in The Sundered Nation trilogy. The story mainly revolves around two main POV characters, Vahldan and Elan. Tales of the Bringer of Urrinan had been told for generations, but never had the prophecy felt so near to so many. Elan wasn’t sure if she even believed one man could cause the sort of upheaval that would change the world. And yet, as the prophecy foretold, dark forces are rising—including the many Spali warbands raiding across the borderlands. It was in pursuit of one such warband when Elan’s host discovered the hidden compound of the Outcast. She'd heard how the former chieftain of the mighty Amalus Clan had been unjustly accused of murdering his rival. How the conflict had begun over a woman. How Vahldan, the Outcast’s son—born of that same woman—perfectly matched the prophecy’s foretelling of the Bringer. Prophecy aside, it seemed that fate had led Elan into the midst of a legend. Because of a choice made in the heat of battle, Elan found herself bound to Vahldan, an outlaw hunted by friend and foe alike. Whether she believed in the prophecy or not, Elan's fate entangled with a lone figure who vowed to seek the sort of upheaval that might change the world.
“‘And a king shall rise from among the kingless, born of exile. In glory shall he rise, and glory shall be his song, calling to the faithful, echoing across the ages. And even in his doom shall he lead unto Urrinan. Such is the fate of the Bringer.’ So say the hymns of the Dreamers of the Skolani.”— Brin Bright Eyes, Saga of Dania”
As you can tell from the premise here, prophecies and chosen ones are some of the classic fantasy tropes utilized in the story of The Severing Son. Contrary to some readers’ opinion that these tropes shouldn’t exist in fantasy now, I’m on the mind that I think they still have their place, and I certainly don’t mind reading these tropes used properly in fantasy. But before I get around to all the positives, I want to my criticisms out of the way first. And I can’t make this clear enough. This criticism will be a subjective criticism based on my experience. It’s a matter of reading preference, really. Several reviewers have mentioned John Gwynne when they talk about The Severing Son, and as a fan of John Gwynne’s books, I can understand why. The resemblance in the choices of tropes and the writing style were there. But there are significant differences at the beginning of Malice and The Severing Son. Gwynne took his time to develop the personality of the characters and their relationship with one another before plunging them into severe troubles. Because of this, the pacing in the first half can be slower than usual. I do not mind this. I actually love getting to know the characters first, and when danger visits them, the precarious situation felt more intense. But plenty of readers have mentioned the struggles with the slow-pacing of Malice. This is where The Severing Son differs a lot.
The Severing Son did not have a slow-paced beginning. It was the other way around. The beginning and the entire book were incredibly fast-paced. The first 200 pages, in particular, were too fast-paced for my liking. I wish we have more pages on the characters bonding first, especially Vahldan with his family before conflicts and disasters visit them. This slow beginning and characterizations were pivotal to my quick investment in Corban and other main characters in other coming-of-age fantasy stories. But when disasters arrived at Vahldan's and his family's home, the severity of the situation did not feel impactful enough. And then, one event after another kept happening non-stop. Vahldan practically never reflects on one of the big life-changing losses he encountered at the early stage of the novel for the rest of the book. I wanted Vahldan to reflect more on this. I wanted to feel his sorrow and pain. The relatively fast pacing from the get-go did not allow me to feel that. Because of this, despite the fast pacing, it took me 200 pages and fifteen chapters before I felt immersed in the story and the character's predicament.
“Two become one, Together to stand, Forever to lead, Brothers unto Urrinan.”
Fortunately, once chapter 16, Ananth-Jahn, occurred, my criticism of the book gradually dissipated. Starting from chapter 16, the rest of the novel was smooth sailing for me. Let's put it this way. I required four days to read the first 200 pages of The Severing Son, and it took me two days to read the remaining 300 pages of the book. I think that should speak volumes about my engrossment. The manipulation, scheming, and battles were suitable for the fast pacing of the book. More importantly, with more characters and more conflicts appearing in Vahldan and Elan's life and relationship with one another, it gets much easier for me to care about them. As far as my reading experience goes, the remaining 300 pages were a far cry from the first 200 pages, in a good way.
And it needs to be mentioned how the prophecies created fascinating dynamics between the characters. I found it interesting how all the other character's behavior changes upon finding out that Vahldan is supposedly the chosen one, especially when he hasn't done many actions and feats at first. But he is charismatic. And he undoubtedly went through splendid development. He was constantly angry, and he struggled with this anger management. He always wants to resort to violence to conquer troubling situations. Some of the main themes of The Severing Son were leadership, responsibility, found family, and peace. It was rewarding to read Vahldan realized violence may not solve every crisis. And this is all thanks to the relationships he made with Elan, Teavar, and more.
“Vahldan didn’t want to believe that justice required bloodshed. Accepting that led to too dark a place to contemplate. There simply had to be a path to peaceful resolution. There had to be a way out—a way to break free of the shackles of legacy.”
The Severing Son is a fast-paced and exciting fantasy debut novel with plenty of promising potential for the rest of the trilogy to shine further. Although I had difficulty feeling invested in the characters at first, by the end of the novel, I cannot deny I am intrigued to find out the next chapter of Vahldan and Elan's story. And more because I heard from Roycroft a new POV character will be introduced in the sequel: Bold Ascension. I think this is a good decision; it will enhance the overall quality of the second novel. Yes, although The Severing Son definitely works as a standalone novel, this is actually the first book in a trilogy. But if I didn't know this is part of a trilogy, I would've thought this is a one-off standalone novel. The last big battle sequence was so well done, displaying Roycroft's skill at writing engaging action scenes. I loved the revelation behind the identity of Brin, the writer behind every epigraph in the novel. Even if you succeed at predicting Brin's identity, I believe you will still feel satisfied with the revelation regardless. The Severing Son has a satisfying ending, and I look forward to reading the sequel. Now that I am attached to the characters and story, I am confident the sequel will be even better.
You can order this book from: Blackwells (Free International shipping)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Aliysa, Anastasia, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Arliss, Barbara, Brad, Cade, Casey, Chris, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jenn, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Kristina, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Miracle, Nicholas, Norbert, Radiah, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Tori, Tracy, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
October 9, 2022
The Severing Son is a complex, deeply realized, character-driven work of historical fantasy, with richly developed themes (e.g. free will vs. determinism). The political dynamics of Roycroft's world are masterfully conveyed and are the story's constant undercurrent, and every character's skin to wear and wield. An unforgettable read, and an epic accomplishment. Highly recommended.
April 15, 2023
I greatly enjoyed this new fantasy debut! I was engaged the whole way and found myself eager to continue on with the story once I reached the end (I'm thrilled that book 2 will be on the way soon). The storytelling is tight and feels like it easily could have been traditionally published. I grew attached to the two protagonists fairly quickly, and I got sucked into the fast-moving plot that never lets up. Indeed, the book covers so much narrative ground it almost feels like it could satisfyingly stand on its own in a way that most book ones of series could not in the slightest.
The Severing Son feels like it's carving its own path in modern fantasy, but the closest analog I've read which should give people a sense for what kind of experience you're getting is the Faithful and the Fallen. It has a similar straightforward prose style and delivers that heroic brand of epic fantasy where there are very clear lines drawn between the easy-to-root-for protagonists and easy-to-hate villains; plus a prophecy features prominently in the plot and magic features very little. It's particularly designed for people who may have thought Malice took too long to get things going, or that there were too many characters/factions/locations to keep track of. This narrative is extremely focused on just a few characters, and it only takes a couple opening chapters to feel like you have a solid grasp on the small number of factions and conflicts at the heart of the tale. After those first few chapters, it's off to the races much like Valor was, which is a good comparison for the feel of the pacing.
In Philip Chase's youtube review for the book he says the worldbuilding is heavily inspired by Germanic tribes during the fall-of-Rome era, and I'll take his word for it. Two clans are at the heart of the story fighting back against a foreign invasion in an uneasy alliance, and they're joined by an all-female warrior clan that seemed like possibly a direct nod to the Far Dareis Mai Aiel warriors in the Wheel of Time. If from the Wheel of Time you enjoyed the then this book might be utterly perfect, since the dynamic between is at the heart of the book. The two late-teen protagonists make this book feel like a double-coming-of-age story, and I couldn't get enough of Vahldan to me feels like an amalgam of Rand Al'Thor and Corban -- considering I love both of those characters, Vahldan was a big hit with me as the fulcrum around which the story turns. If you were not a fan of those two characters in their respective books, this may not be the series for you. I found it very easy to empathize with Vahldan and to relate to his struggles to overcome a deep anger over his situation.
While the two protagonists definitely take center stage, a few of the side characters get some POVs, and these side characters and many of the non-POV ones all felt distinctive and complex. Many of them took actions that surprised me due to not following cliches I may have been expecting, and this deep character work was definitely one of the highlights of the read for sure.
4 stars is a very solid rating for me for a book 1, and going forward I'm hoping to see an expansion of the worldbuilding beyond the small-feeling Dania region where this one took place. Roycroft absolutely killed it with a few of the 1-on-1 fights/duels in this book, but the large scale battles felt a bit lacking in tension for me, and they were often hard to visualize and not easy to keep track of in terms of tactics and the flow of battle. The prose was mostly a strong invisible vehicle for the story, but every so often a very modern-seeming turn of phrase popped up that took me out of my immersion. And while I was always engaged and definitely emotionally invested, I almost think it was faster paced than the ideal for me; I wouldn't have minded more of the slow set-up that a lot of my favorite fantasy does toward the beginning of a series that does a lot of the heavy lifting to get me maximally emotionally invested in the protagonists' journeys. I saw maybe on one of Roycroft's blog posts that he had written a lot more set up than made it in here, and the result of trimming it down will probably be an extremely tight and lean trilogy with the trade off of losing some of that slow build.
Overall, this was a fantastic start to a fresh new heroic fantasy series that I can't wait to continue!
The Severing Son feels like it's carving its own path in modern fantasy, but the closest analog I've read which should give people a sense for what kind of experience you're getting is the Faithful and the Fallen. It has a similar straightforward prose style and delivers that heroic brand of epic fantasy where there are very clear lines drawn between the easy-to-root-for protagonists and easy-to-hate villains; plus a prophecy features prominently in the plot and magic features very little. It's particularly designed for people who may have thought Malice took too long to get things going, or that there were too many characters/factions/locations to keep track of. This narrative is extremely focused on just a few characters, and it only takes a couple opening chapters to feel like you have a solid grasp on the small number of factions and conflicts at the heart of the tale. After those first few chapters, it's off to the races much like Valor was, which is a good comparison for the feel of the pacing.
In Philip Chase's youtube review for the book he says the worldbuilding is heavily inspired by Germanic tribes during the fall-of-Rome era, and I'll take his word for it. Two clans are at the heart of the story fighting back against a foreign invasion in an uneasy alliance, and they're joined by an all-female warrior clan that seemed like possibly a direct nod to the Far Dareis Mai Aiel warriors in the Wheel of Time. If from the Wheel of Time you enjoyed the then this book might be utterly perfect, since the dynamic between is at the heart of the book. The two late-teen protagonists make this book feel like a double-coming-of-age story, and I couldn't get enough of Vahldan to me feels like an amalgam of Rand Al'Thor and Corban -- considering I love both of those characters, Vahldan was a big hit with me as the fulcrum around which the story turns. If you were not a fan of those two characters in their respective books, this may not be the series for you. I found it very easy to empathize with Vahldan and to relate to his struggles to overcome a deep anger over his situation.
While the two protagonists definitely take center stage, a few of the side characters get some POVs, and these side characters and many of the non-POV ones all felt distinctive and complex. Many of them took actions that surprised me due to not following cliches I may have been expecting, and this deep character work was definitely one of the highlights of the read for sure.
4 stars is a very solid rating for me for a book 1, and going forward I'm hoping to see an expansion of the worldbuilding beyond the small-feeling Dania region where this one took place. Roycroft absolutely killed it with a few of the 1-on-1 fights/duels in this book, but the large scale battles felt a bit lacking in tension for me, and they were often hard to visualize and not easy to keep track of in terms of tactics and the flow of battle. The prose was mostly a strong invisible vehicle for the story, but every so often a very modern-seeming turn of phrase popped up that took me out of my immersion. And while I was always engaged and definitely emotionally invested, I almost think it was faster paced than the ideal for me; I wouldn't have minded more of the slow set-up that a lot of my favorite fantasy does toward the beginning of a series that does a lot of the heavy lifting to get me maximally emotionally invested in the protagonists' journeys. I saw maybe on one of Roycroft's blog posts that he had written a lot more set up than made it in here, and the result of trimming it down will probably be an extremely tight and lean trilogy with the trade off of losing some of that slow build.
Overall, this was a fantastic start to a fresh new heroic fantasy series that I can't wait to continue!
March 10, 2024
I may have gone into this book with unfair expectations. I initially decided to move it to the top of my ever expanding TBR list after reading all the reviews comparing it to John Gwynne and Evan Winter. Unfortunately I was let down and despite some very real promise, this one really just didn't click for me.
I think my two main problems with the book was the pacing and the characters. The pacing just felt off to me at times. There would be these very cool battle sequences that I enjoyed very much. Unfortunately it was the before and after that I really struggled with. We would get over 100 pages of characters just talking, fucking, traveling and doing nothing of note.
My other issue was the characters themselves. I consider myself pretty well versed in the fantasy genre. I've read plenty of series with HUGE casts like Game of Thrones, First Law and Faithful and the Fallen. The problem here wasn't necessarily the number of characters, but the fact they were all so similar and not unique enough to differentiate themselves from the others. It didn't help that all the names, places, and terms all sounded so similar too each other also.
This book wasn't all bad of course. The battle scenes really were quite exhilarating and well written. I liked the setting too. So many fantasy series take place in a medieval Europe type place. Severing Son gave me more of a Native American, open plains type of vibe, which I thought was really cool and different from the norm.
The few positives aside, I considered DNF'ing this one more than once, and while I'm glad I was able to finish it, I most likely won't be moving on to the second installment anytime soon. I'll still give this a 3/5 stars.
I think my two main problems with the book was the pacing and the characters. The pacing just felt off to me at times. There would be these very cool battle sequences that I enjoyed very much. Unfortunately it was the before and after that I really struggled with. We would get over 100 pages of characters just talking, fucking, traveling and doing nothing of note.
My other issue was the characters themselves. I consider myself pretty well versed in the fantasy genre. I've read plenty of series with HUGE casts like Game of Thrones, First Law and Faithful and the Fallen. The problem here wasn't necessarily the number of characters, but the fact they were all so similar and not unique enough to differentiate themselves from the others. It didn't help that all the names, places, and terms all sounded so similar too each other also.
This book wasn't all bad of course. The battle scenes really were quite exhilarating and well written. I liked the setting too. So many fantasy series take place in a medieval Europe type place. Severing Son gave me more of a Native American, open plains type of vibe, which I thought was really cool and different from the norm.
The few positives aside, I considered DNF'ing this one more than once, and while I'm glad I was able to finish it, I most likely won't be moving on to the second installment anytime soon. I'll still give this a 3/5 stars.
March 17, 2025
The first 250 pages is definitely a slow burn, but it’s needed…. who wants to know about a background story within 10 pages.
It’s impossible!!!!!.
This book is masterfully crafted, with authentic character dialogue that's sometimes uncomfortably honest. It explores themes of prophecy, trust, and found family, along with identity, prejudice, leadership, love, and destiny. While romance is present, it's subtle and doesn't overpower the narrative. Overall, the novel thoughtfully weaves together multiple complex ideas.
This book is a gripping and unapologetically brutal tale, set in a ruthless world where honor is upheld without mercy, revenge is relentless, and violence is a constant presence. The narrative is marked by intense duels, gruesome rituals, and a stark portrayal of the consequences of defeat.
It’s impossible!!!!!.
This book is masterfully crafted, with authentic character dialogue that's sometimes uncomfortably honest. It explores themes of prophecy, trust, and found family, along with identity, prejudice, leadership, love, and destiny. While romance is present, it's subtle and doesn't overpower the narrative. Overall, the novel thoughtfully weaves together multiple complex ideas.
This book is a gripping and unapologetically brutal tale, set in a ruthless world where honor is upheld without mercy, revenge is relentless, and violence is a constant presence. The narrative is marked by intense duels, gruesome rituals, and a stark portrayal of the consequences of defeat.
June 16, 2025
Thanks to the author for providing an audio ARC.
The Severing Son is a military fantasy novel in the vein of Bernard Cornwell or George Martin. (Actually what it reminded me the most of was that 2004 King Arthur movie starring Clive Owen. Anyone else remember that?)
It tells the story of the son of an exiled chieftain who must return to his tribes, unite them against a common enemy and fulfill a prophecy.
In terms of the set up for this book, it will sound somewhat familiar and in some ways it is. What Roycroft really excels at is setting it apart with some quality writing and excellent world building. (And I have it on good authority that the sequels go in VERY unexpected places)
Roycroft excels in writing all things military and action. Many of the battles are so well described that they play out like a movie in the mind (this is coming from a non visual reader). The attention to detail around combat, wounds, and strategy is all to be commended.
This also feels very much like a world that has been fully lived in. It doesn’t feel like we’re having 21st century ideals mapped upon an older, darker age. All of these characters feel of their time.
One thing I’ll note (though it’s likely a me problem) is that I frequently will read and enjoy books and not be invested to ANY of the characters. In this book particularly I only felt connected to a few of the main ones and several of the side characters were a bit of a challenge to distinguish.
This is a rollicking good tale though that also will make you stop and think…a lot. I haven’t read something that felt like it came in the tradition of George Martin, quite like this book did, for a while!
The Severing Son is a military fantasy novel in the vein of Bernard Cornwell or George Martin. (Actually what it reminded me the most of was that 2004 King Arthur movie starring Clive Owen. Anyone else remember that?)
It tells the story of the son of an exiled chieftain who must return to his tribes, unite them against a common enemy and fulfill a prophecy.
In terms of the set up for this book, it will sound somewhat familiar and in some ways it is. What Roycroft really excels at is setting it apart with some quality writing and excellent world building. (And I have it on good authority that the sequels go in VERY unexpected places)
Roycroft excels in writing all things military and action. Many of the battles are so well described that they play out like a movie in the mind (this is coming from a non visual reader). The attention to detail around combat, wounds, and strategy is all to be commended.
This also feels very much like a world that has been fully lived in. It doesn’t feel like we’re having 21st century ideals mapped upon an older, darker age. All of these characters feel of their time.
One thing I’ll note (though it’s likely a me problem) is that I frequently will read and enjoy books and not be invested to ANY of the characters. In this book particularly I only felt connected to a few of the main ones and several of the side characters were a bit of a challenge to distinguish.
This is a rollicking good tale though that also will make you stop and think…a lot. I haven’t read something that felt like it came in the tradition of George Martin, quite like this book did, for a while!
August 20, 2023
'''And a king shall rise from among the kingless, born of exile. In glory shall he rise, and glory shall be his song, calling to the faithful, echoing across the ages. And even in his doom shall he lead unto Urrinan. Such is the fate of the Bringer.’ So say the hymns of the Dreamers of the Skolani.”— Brin Bright Eyes, Saga of Dania'''
Move over Visigoths, Vandals, Franks, Angles, Saxons, and Lombards. Make way for the Amalus, the Wulthus, the Skolani, the Carpans, and the Spali.
If you were looking to assuage you John Gwynne fix, waiting patiently between "The Hunger of the Gods" and the next installment in the "Bloodsworn Saga", you may want to peruse the back cover blurb of Book One of the epic fantasy "Sundered Nation" series, entitled "The Severing Son", by Vaughn Roycroft. Read the blurb, then get to the book itself, and you might find something you would be very intrigued and satisfied by.
I definitely did.
Welcome to Roycroft's Dania, the many Gottari factions, and a world plainly inspired by the rise of the warlike, marauding Germanic tribes that helped precipitate the fall of the mighty Roman Empire.
In Dania, Angavar the 'Outcast', formerly a puissant chieftain, accused of killing a competitor for the affections of a beautiful woman, has been banished for his supposed crime. He gets the woman, and they go on to have children together. But loses his status as a great warlord - banished from his tribe.
His eldest son Vahldan, wants to follow in his father's footsteps as a great fighter, but his prospects as the son of a disgraced man don't look promising. And his exacting father pushes Vahldan hard, to live up to a legacy that seems tarnished and tenuous. But tragedy awaits around the corner, and just because Angavar is exiled, doesn't mean he still doesn't have enemies. And in a lawless and desperate land, the strong will take what they will, and now, while Angavar is not defeated, he is weakened.
But among the Gottari, a formidable female-led tribe, the Skolani, Blade-wielder Elan, a redoubtable warrior, is trying to purge the wild and dangerous borderlands of perilous warbands, ravaging, pillaging, killing indiscriminately. During her mission, she finds the secret home-in-exile of Angavar and his family.
There is a haunting prophecy that hangs over all the land. Elan is not sure she believes in that prophecy, but...what could Angavar and Vahldan have to do with it? Has a saviour, the Bringer of Urrinan, been born in the house of Angavar?
Great books have great characters, and as a great book, "The Severing Son" is no exception. Elan, Valhdan, as the primary players, and the supporting cast are outstanding. Among my favs, the deliciously complicated Princess Icannes, and loyal Badagis. The secondary plot centered around Thadmeir, Amaseila, and the Wolf Clan's court - which appears like the primary thread at first - displays more exceptional character work by Roycroft.
Valhadan as a protagonist stood out as immature, anxious to prove himself, with a huge chip on his shoulder. He struggles to contain the violence brewing within him, trying to resist the powerful berserker inside of him. He was also magnetic, courageous, passionate, tenacious.
As he tries to come to terms with the burden of destiny, he doesn't always handle it well. I adore when someone's flaws hamper them, and they have to figure out that THEY might be the main thing holding THEMSELVES back from achieving the heights they are capable of. That is also part of his coming-of-age arc, which is very well and realistically done by the author.
Balanced with Elan's perspicacity, veteran leadership and fighting prowess, unwavering loyalty, and careful, thoughtful acceptance of what is happening around her, and with Valhadan, she is the real hero of the novel for me.
The worldbuilding, as mentioned, highlights that the world created is analogous to the wars between ancient nomadic Germanic tribes. That is a fascinating and somewhat under-documented period of history, in my opinion. It is clear the author felt the same, prompting him to deliver this exciting book based on that historical era. Sometimes, the book does feel more like historical fantasy, but that's a great thing, in my estimation. I wanted a bit more depth at times, in terms of exposition about certain elements of the world, but I was still plenty engaged.
Special note of the magic in the book, which is more of the kind of soft system that I crave, creating that sense of astonishment and wonder. The wielders are all mysterious, in terms of the extent of their powers and the consequences of what they can bring to bear. The Skolani dreamers, the Gottari Seeresses, the Carpan mystics...are any of them truly accurately able to predict prophecy? If one or any of them are indeed all truly prescient, then which prophecies are "real"?
Some of the major themes that permeate the novel are identity, prophecy, found family, prejudice and mistrust, the responsibilities of a ruler or leader, found family, love, lust, and perhaps most of all, destiny.
The good guys and the bad guys in the novel, everyone is chasing, or trying to avoid specific destinies. Can one outrun destiny, Roycroft seems to ask us? And if we can, does that running away, in of itself, doom us? Isn't it better to just face it, embrace it? Or can one change destiny itself, and forge a different path that one is not bound to? I found Roycroft really dealt with this theme well.
I absolutely loved the romance in the book, which took the form largely of a friendship/romance/potential love triangle taking place between two powerful female characters and an important male character. There is plenty of passion, titillation, youthful angst, lust, yearning, doubt, fear, genuine feelings of love and attachment, and doubt about what the future might hold for the development of a stable relationship of any kind, for any of the three involved.
It's no secret I'm a fan of elaborate prose. I lean toward the purple rather than the striped-bare. Roycroft strikes what I believe most readers will find to be an excellent near midway standpoint (a bit more towards the lean and mean) with his writing. It's very accessible, not convoluted, and very smooth. Nonetheless, you will find some gems of quotable material in the book - again redolent of Gwynne - that you'll find yourself admiring, and re-reading for the poignancy and impact of it.
“Vahldan didn’t want to believe that justice required bloodshed. Accepting that led to too dark a place to contemplate. There simply had to be a path to peaceful resolution. There had to be a way out—a way to break free of the shackles of legacy.”
Roycroft knows how to write spectacular battle scenes. Be it one-on-one combat, or large scale conflicts, the build-up to the action serves to set up the conflict, build up the emotional investment and stakes, ratchet up the tension, and then Roycroft slams home the payoff, with brutal, amazing intensity.
This is a brilliantly bloody book, set in a cruel world, with unflinching codes of honour, unrelenting revenge, with duels to the death, ritual scalping of defeated enemies, and victors that give no quarter to the vanquished.
I predict if he can continue to hone his craft here, Roycroft could one day in the future join the Camerons, Wurts, Winters, Cornwells, Gwynnes etc. as a master of depicting ancient combat. Is this high praise? Undoubtedly...I will be watching this aspect of Roycroft's writing with a high degree of scrutiny in future books, to see if he can earn that kind of reputation.
Let's also speak about the fact that this book is definitely full of many beloved tropes. For some, that will be problematic. But trust me, these are tropes done well. I never felt a sense of the doldrums regarding all the familiar devices Roycroft uses in the book. There are plenty of fresh and inventive things here to like.
The storytelling is taunt, quick, and though I love the slow-burn, I can't quibble here. This is a pulse-pounding book, and more people than not will likely really love the pacing here. I burned through this book compulsively in a few sittings, despite the 500-page length. A big book that reads FAST.
An author who is clearly quite attuned to the type of heroic fantasy that so many people love, in the mode of David Gemmel and John Gwynne, Roycroft shows a ton of promise. Epic and historical fantasy fans will delight in this book - it ticks all the boxes.
"The Severing Son" is a dynamic, fast-paced, thrilling first entry into the Indie Epic fantasy scene. It's clear to me this first book in a series is a prolusion to something (perhaps many things) even greater and I can't wait to read what that something is.
Five stars, and highly recommended.
Move over Visigoths, Vandals, Franks, Angles, Saxons, and Lombards. Make way for the Amalus, the Wulthus, the Skolani, the Carpans, and the Spali.
If you were looking to assuage you John Gwynne fix, waiting patiently between "The Hunger of the Gods" and the next installment in the "Bloodsworn Saga", you may want to peruse the back cover blurb of Book One of the epic fantasy "Sundered Nation" series, entitled "The Severing Son", by Vaughn Roycroft. Read the blurb, then get to the book itself, and you might find something you would be very intrigued and satisfied by.
I definitely did.
Welcome to Roycroft's Dania, the many Gottari factions, and a world plainly inspired by the rise of the warlike, marauding Germanic tribes that helped precipitate the fall of the mighty Roman Empire.
In Dania, Angavar the 'Outcast', formerly a puissant chieftain, accused of killing a competitor for the affections of a beautiful woman, has been banished for his supposed crime. He gets the woman, and they go on to have children together. But loses his status as a great warlord - banished from his tribe.
His eldest son Vahldan, wants to follow in his father's footsteps as a great fighter, but his prospects as the son of a disgraced man don't look promising. And his exacting father pushes Vahldan hard, to live up to a legacy that seems tarnished and tenuous. But tragedy awaits around the corner, and just because Angavar is exiled, doesn't mean he still doesn't have enemies. And in a lawless and desperate land, the strong will take what they will, and now, while Angavar is not defeated, he is weakened.
But among the Gottari, a formidable female-led tribe, the Skolani, Blade-wielder Elan, a redoubtable warrior, is trying to purge the wild and dangerous borderlands of perilous warbands, ravaging, pillaging, killing indiscriminately. During her mission, she finds the secret home-in-exile of Angavar and his family.
There is a haunting prophecy that hangs over all the land. Elan is not sure she believes in that prophecy, but...what could Angavar and Vahldan have to do with it? Has a saviour, the Bringer of Urrinan, been born in the house of Angavar?
Great books have great characters, and as a great book, "The Severing Son" is no exception. Elan, Valhdan, as the primary players, and the supporting cast are outstanding. Among my favs, the deliciously complicated Princess Icannes, and loyal Badagis. The secondary plot centered around Thadmeir, Amaseila, and the Wolf Clan's court - which appears like the primary thread at first - displays more exceptional character work by Roycroft.
Valhadan as a protagonist stood out as immature, anxious to prove himself, with a huge chip on his shoulder. He struggles to contain the violence brewing within him, trying to resist the powerful berserker inside of him. He was also magnetic, courageous, passionate, tenacious.
As he tries to come to terms with the burden of destiny, he doesn't always handle it well. I adore when someone's flaws hamper them, and they have to figure out that THEY might be the main thing holding THEMSELVES back from achieving the heights they are capable of. That is also part of his coming-of-age arc, which is very well and realistically done by the author.
Balanced with Elan's perspicacity, veteran leadership and fighting prowess, unwavering loyalty, and careful, thoughtful acceptance of what is happening around her, and with Valhadan, she is the real hero of the novel for me.
The worldbuilding, as mentioned, highlights that the world created is analogous to the wars between ancient nomadic Germanic tribes. That is a fascinating and somewhat under-documented period of history, in my opinion. It is clear the author felt the same, prompting him to deliver this exciting book based on that historical era. Sometimes, the book does feel more like historical fantasy, but that's a great thing, in my estimation. I wanted a bit more depth at times, in terms of exposition about certain elements of the world, but I was still plenty engaged.
Special note of the magic in the book, which is more of the kind of soft system that I crave, creating that sense of astonishment and wonder. The wielders are all mysterious, in terms of the extent of their powers and the consequences of what they can bring to bear. The Skolani dreamers, the Gottari Seeresses, the Carpan mystics...are any of them truly accurately able to predict prophecy? If one or any of them are indeed all truly prescient, then which prophecies are "real"?
Some of the major themes that permeate the novel are identity, prophecy, found family, prejudice and mistrust, the responsibilities of a ruler or leader, found family, love, lust, and perhaps most of all, destiny.
The good guys and the bad guys in the novel, everyone is chasing, or trying to avoid specific destinies. Can one outrun destiny, Roycroft seems to ask us? And if we can, does that running away, in of itself, doom us? Isn't it better to just face it, embrace it? Or can one change destiny itself, and forge a different path that one is not bound to? I found Roycroft really dealt with this theme well.
I absolutely loved the romance in the book, which took the form largely of a friendship/romance/potential love triangle taking place between two powerful female characters and an important male character. There is plenty of passion, titillation, youthful angst, lust, yearning, doubt, fear, genuine feelings of love and attachment, and doubt about what the future might hold for the development of a stable relationship of any kind, for any of the three involved.
It's no secret I'm a fan of elaborate prose. I lean toward the purple rather than the striped-bare. Roycroft strikes what I believe most readers will find to be an excellent near midway standpoint (a bit more towards the lean and mean) with his writing. It's very accessible, not convoluted, and very smooth. Nonetheless, you will find some gems of quotable material in the book - again redolent of Gwynne - that you'll find yourself admiring, and re-reading for the poignancy and impact of it.
“Vahldan didn’t want to believe that justice required bloodshed. Accepting that led to too dark a place to contemplate. There simply had to be a path to peaceful resolution. There had to be a way out—a way to break free of the shackles of legacy.”
Roycroft knows how to write spectacular battle scenes. Be it one-on-one combat, or large scale conflicts, the build-up to the action serves to set up the conflict, build up the emotional investment and stakes, ratchet up the tension, and then Roycroft slams home the payoff, with brutal, amazing intensity.
This is a brilliantly bloody book, set in a cruel world, with unflinching codes of honour, unrelenting revenge, with duels to the death, ritual scalping of defeated enemies, and victors that give no quarter to the vanquished.
I predict if he can continue to hone his craft here, Roycroft could one day in the future join the Camerons, Wurts, Winters, Cornwells, Gwynnes etc. as a master of depicting ancient combat. Is this high praise? Undoubtedly...I will be watching this aspect of Roycroft's writing with a high degree of scrutiny in future books, to see if he can earn that kind of reputation.
Let's also speak about the fact that this book is definitely full of many beloved tropes. For some, that will be problematic. But trust me, these are tropes done well. I never felt a sense of the doldrums regarding all the familiar devices Roycroft uses in the book. There are plenty of fresh and inventive things here to like.
The storytelling is taunt, quick, and though I love the slow-burn, I can't quibble here. This is a pulse-pounding book, and more people than not will likely really love the pacing here. I burned through this book compulsively in a few sittings, despite the 500-page length. A big book that reads FAST.
An author who is clearly quite attuned to the type of heroic fantasy that so many people love, in the mode of David Gemmel and John Gwynne, Roycroft shows a ton of promise. Epic and historical fantasy fans will delight in this book - it ticks all the boxes.
"The Severing Son" is a dynamic, fast-paced, thrilling first entry into the Indie Epic fantasy scene. It's clear to me this first book in a series is a prolusion to something (perhaps many things) even greater and I can't wait to read what that something is.
Five stars, and highly recommended.
March 19, 2024
Review originally on
JamReads
The Severing Son is the first book in the epic historical inspired fantasy saga The Sundered Nation, written by Vaughn Roycroft. A novel that takes you for a really epic ride, taking inspiration from historical peoples and tribes, such as Goths, Huns and Romans, but giving its own twist to weave a compelling story that transmits the own author's love for historical moments; a memorable debut, for sure.
A character-driven story that puts the spotlight over the relationship of both main character with the concepts of identity and destiny. In the one hand, we have Vahldan, son of Angavar, a banished chieftain due to a crime, living in the exile, and even after the tragedy that hits his family, he's always expected to fill the shoes of his father, to become the chieftain and the fighter he was; but he's not really sure that is who he wants to be, as it implies accepting parts of himself that he wanted to reject. He might be the one prophesized, but that can be a hell of a stone to charge over his shoulders.
In the other hand, we have Elan, blade-wielder of the Skolari, a female led tribe, who doesn't really fits anywhere; she wants to purge Dania of the warbands, and in that context, she's tasked with taking care of Vahldan's family. A task which leads her to create a bonding with Vahldan, even starting to believe that he might the one prophesized.
With this premise, Roycroft throws us into Dania, these lands that are heavily inspired by the Germanic tribes and their conflicts, with his own original layers that separates it from historical fiction; the magic system is relatively soft, keeping it at a minimum, without giving too many explanations, keeping the plausible deniability that all could be explained by natural phenomenons, or just being pure bullshit told by the priests and priestesses.
Pacing was my main concern when diving into this book, but I have to admit that Roycroft has nailed it, being faster than usual in epic fantasy, putting action into the page really soon, and developing the character more later, giving us a moment to take the breath before continue worrying. You could compare with Gwynne, especially because the prose is able to capture the gravity and the importance of moments, but a bit faster.
The Severing Son is an astounding debut; if you want to read Epic with capital letters fantasy, The Sundered Nation is the perfect series for you. I can't wait to continue reading the series, as Bold Ascension promises to be even better than this excellent novel!
The Severing Son is the first book in the epic historical inspired fantasy saga The Sundered Nation, written by Vaughn Roycroft. A novel that takes you for a really epic ride, taking inspiration from historical peoples and tribes, such as Goths, Huns and Romans, but giving its own twist to weave a compelling story that transmits the own author's love for historical moments; a memorable debut, for sure.
A character-driven story that puts the spotlight over the relationship of both main character with the concepts of identity and destiny. In the one hand, we have Vahldan, son of Angavar, a banished chieftain due to a crime, living in the exile, and even after the tragedy that hits his family, he's always expected to fill the shoes of his father, to become the chieftain and the fighter he was; but he's not really sure that is who he wants to be, as it implies accepting parts of himself that he wanted to reject. He might be the one prophesized, but that can be a hell of a stone to charge over his shoulders.
In the other hand, we have Elan, blade-wielder of the Skolari, a female led tribe, who doesn't really fits anywhere; she wants to purge Dania of the warbands, and in that context, she's tasked with taking care of Vahldan's family. A task which leads her to create a bonding with Vahldan, even starting to believe that he might the one prophesized.
With this premise, Roycroft throws us into Dania, these lands that are heavily inspired by the Germanic tribes and their conflicts, with his own original layers that separates it from historical fiction; the magic system is relatively soft, keeping it at a minimum, without giving too many explanations, keeping the plausible deniability that all could be explained by natural phenomenons, or just being pure bullshit told by the priests and priestesses.
Pacing was my main concern when diving into this book, but I have to admit that Roycroft has nailed it, being faster than usual in epic fantasy, putting action into the page really soon, and developing the character more later, giving us a moment to take the breath before continue worrying. You could compare with Gwynne, especially because the prose is able to capture the gravity and the importance of moments, but a bit faster.
The Severing Son is an astounding debut; if you want to read Epic with capital letters fantasy, The Sundered Nation is the perfect series for you. I can't wait to continue reading the series, as Bold Ascension promises to be even better than this excellent novel!
March 22, 2023
https://undertheradarsffbooks.com/202...
I recieved a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a honest review. The Tales of the Bringer of Urrian have been told from one generation to the next but the time to start paying attention is now. The Spali have invaded the Borderlands and are causing chaos in every way possible. A long told prophecy will be revealed with the son of an outcast warrior trying to protect his family from the raiding horde. Fates and destiny’s will be forever changed in this debut novel and long time fans of John Gwynne’s Faithful and the Fallen series will love this tale.
The Severing Son is a two person POV story making for a more tight-knit story. Vahldan is the son of an outcast clan leader living away from the main town with his family. Vahldan’s father was accused of murdering his rival and now the family are suffering the consequences for it. Besides training, hunting, and doing chores for his family, Vahldan hopes for something so much more and he is about to get it. Spali warbands have invaded Vahldan’s land and he is caught in the middle of it trying to save his family. His fate will take a wild turn when he is saved by the Skolani blade wielder Elan and is wisked away for shelter and protection. Vahldan’s destiny will forever be tied to Elan’s and their journey together has only just begun.
Elan and her warband save the outcast family from the invading warband but she also realizes that the outcast son has the exact resemblance for the Bringer as predicted. When Elan and the outcast son soon realize that religion and political forces on both sides of the war will be after the Bringer, they have no choice but to flee. Fast paced and riveting action scenes will turn The Severing Son into a page turner all fans will enjoy.
As I mentioned earlier in my review, the author has almost the exact same writing style as my favorite epic fantasy author John Gwynne and I do not use those words lightly. The action scenes are intense without being overly descriptive, the pacing is right on point, and the characters are the driving force of the story. When you add on top of that the secrets, political and miltary intrigue, and the prophecy that may not be what you think into the mix, you are really cooking with fire. I will say that the names of the places and characters were a bit confusing for me to start off with given that some of them sound and look the same. That being said, I got the hang of it before getting to the good stuff.
The Severing Son is an epic fantasy quest and adventure centered around destiny and free will. Who is really pulling the strings in thie struggle and are the two main characters actually in control of their fates. All these questions and more will be answered in this debut novel. The sequel can’t get here fast enough for me to sink my teeth into.
Cheers!
I recieved a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a honest review. The Tales of the Bringer of Urrian have been told from one generation to the next but the time to start paying attention is now. The Spali have invaded the Borderlands and are causing chaos in every way possible. A long told prophecy will be revealed with the son of an outcast warrior trying to protect his family from the raiding horde. Fates and destiny’s will be forever changed in this debut novel and long time fans of John Gwynne’s Faithful and the Fallen series will love this tale.
The Severing Son is a two person POV story making for a more tight-knit story. Vahldan is the son of an outcast clan leader living away from the main town with his family. Vahldan’s father was accused of murdering his rival and now the family are suffering the consequences for it. Besides training, hunting, and doing chores for his family, Vahldan hopes for something so much more and he is about to get it. Spali warbands have invaded Vahldan’s land and he is caught in the middle of it trying to save his family. His fate will take a wild turn when he is saved by the Skolani blade wielder Elan and is wisked away for shelter and protection. Vahldan’s destiny will forever be tied to Elan’s and their journey together has only just begun.
Elan and her warband save the outcast family from the invading warband but she also realizes that the outcast son has the exact resemblance for the Bringer as predicted. When Elan and the outcast son soon realize that religion and political forces on both sides of the war will be after the Bringer, they have no choice but to flee. Fast paced and riveting action scenes will turn The Severing Son into a page turner all fans will enjoy.
As I mentioned earlier in my review, the author has almost the exact same writing style as my favorite epic fantasy author John Gwynne and I do not use those words lightly. The action scenes are intense without being overly descriptive, the pacing is right on point, and the characters are the driving force of the story. When you add on top of that the secrets, political and miltary intrigue, and the prophecy that may not be what you think into the mix, you are really cooking with fire. I will say that the names of the places and characters were a bit confusing for me to start off with given that some of them sound and look the same. That being said, I got the hang of it before getting to the good stuff.
The Severing Son is an epic fantasy quest and adventure centered around destiny and free will. Who is really pulling the strings in thie struggle and are the two main characters actually in control of their fates. All these questions and more will be answered in this debut novel. The sequel can’t get here fast enough for me to sink my teeth into.
Cheers!
December 9, 2025
I really, really liked this book and I wish goodreads had half stars since it's not only the year 2025, but would also reflect this rating more accurately.
Rounding up to a 5 would make life easier since this is definitely higher than a 4 star, but I like to be able to give praise to the next books in a series, which I can tell will be elevated in comparison to the first. The main reason I'm giving it a 4 is because it took a bit to really get going, and a few of the plotlines were a bit too familiar. That is IT, which is why I think a 4.5 is really where the rating should be.
I love a good "reluctant chosen one" hero trope, but after reading this, I'm so excited to start the 2nd book where Vahldan will already be in control of his troops, and have a fresh plotline. So it's not this book is a 4, it's that I want to be able to accurately give book 2 the score I think it will be.
Having said that, there is more good to this book by far! The characters especially were the standout for me. In the book there are different groups that all have a character or two we read as a POV and every one of them was great. Even the secondary characters we don't spend as much time with are fully fleshed out, and bring a unique voice to the story. I really enjoyed the spectrum of good to bad, with both ends of it being very realistic; it wasn't a "oh this is the bad guy, look HOW MEAN he is!" but it went into detail to explain why each character had the motives that they did.
Another huge plus for me was the writing, especially the battle scenes. Coming off of John Gwynne's Bloodsworn trilogy, it would have been very easy to think of the next book I read as a step down, but this was not the case! In the chaos of each fight, Roycroft did a fantastic job of bringing those scenes to life, while also not making things too confusing and keeping me fully engaged. It helped to keep me burning through the book, and I can see why so many other people I trust heap praise upon it.
The addition of an all-female clan, who are not just warriors but also healers, mystics, and leaders of their own nation was also great. They didn't feel like token-females or anything like that; each person in the Skolani, the tribe, plays a part in making them such a feared and respected group. I really enjoyed the romantic subplot too, especially because of how well Roycroft crafted the Skolani, along with Vahldan; it made things very realistic and it didn't feel like a ham-fisted attempt at a love story, which was great.
Overall, this was an amazing book. Definitely one of the better reads of the 2nd half of the year, and I love ending the year strong! I'm really excited to continue the series, and see where the story goes next!
Rounding up to a 5 would make life easier since this is definitely higher than a 4 star, but I like to be able to give praise to the next books in a series, which I can tell will be elevated in comparison to the first. The main reason I'm giving it a 4 is because it took a bit to really get going, and a few of the plotlines were a bit too familiar. That is IT, which is why I think a 4.5 is really where the rating should be.
I love a good "reluctant chosen one" hero trope, but after reading this, I'm so excited to start the 2nd book where Vahldan will already be in control of his troops, and have a fresh plotline. So it's not this book is a 4, it's that I want to be able to accurately give book 2 the score I think it will be.
Having said that, there is more good to this book by far! The characters especially were the standout for me. In the book there are different groups that all have a character or two we read as a POV and every one of them was great. Even the secondary characters we don't spend as much time with are fully fleshed out, and bring a unique voice to the story. I really enjoyed the spectrum of good to bad, with both ends of it being very realistic; it wasn't a "oh this is the bad guy, look HOW MEAN he is!" but it went into detail to explain why each character had the motives that they did.
Another huge plus for me was the writing, especially the battle scenes. Coming off of John Gwynne's Bloodsworn trilogy, it would have been very easy to think of the next book I read as a step down, but this was not the case! In the chaos of each fight, Roycroft did a fantastic job of bringing those scenes to life, while also not making things too confusing and keeping me fully engaged. It helped to keep me burning through the book, and I can see why so many other people I trust heap praise upon it.
The addition of an all-female clan, who are not just warriors but also healers, mystics, and leaders of their own nation was also great. They didn't feel like token-females or anything like that; each person in the Skolani, the tribe, plays a part in making them such a feared and respected group. I really enjoyed the romantic subplot too, especially because of how well Roycroft crafted the Skolani, along with Vahldan; it made things very realistic and it didn't feel like a ham-fisted attempt at a love story, which was great.
Overall, this was an amazing book. Definitely one of the better reads of the 2nd half of the year, and I love ending the year strong! I'm really excited to continue the series, and see where the story goes next!
May 22, 2023
The Spali continue to overwhelm & conquer. Long has it been told of a warrior who would stand against the oppressors. For one Skolani the time of this prophecy is now.
An action packed sweeping epic! Gripping impassioned characters. Immersive & excellent.
An action packed sweeping epic! Gripping impassioned characters. Immersive & excellent.
December 31, 2023
What a stunning debut, despite being in a bit of a reading burnout, I kept coming back to this book every day, when nothing else would work. Full review to come in a few days.
May 31, 2023
“The Bringer. You are he. You will cause great pain. But also glory shall you bring. What is to come through you will change us all— Gottari and Skolani alike—forever. For you shall be the start of it. Upon your doom, the Urrinan shall ride.”
Vaughn Roycroft knows how to write. The Severing Son certainly does not feel like a debut and in my opinion, could hold its own against many traditionally published fantasy novels. This book adds to the validity that self-published novels are often just as good —if not better— than trad pub. He’s going to be a name to watch.
His writing style is reminiscent of John Gwynne, in the best of ways. There’s a warmth to their writing that shines through, even when paired with the gruesome things that often happen in an epic fantasy setting. It doesn’t hurt that you can see the historical inspirations in their novels, especially Nordic culture and mythology.
“Holding a knife he made beauty. Holding a sword he only made trouble. A knife had a thousand uses. A sword had only one. His father always said that the best way to keep swords from spilling blood was to be the best at wielding one.”
I am a fan of multiple POVs in epic fantasy and Roycroft pulls off the switch-ups with ease. There were enough romantic scenarios to satisfy the romance-lover in me but not so much as to scare off the romance-shy. I found myself very much endeared to our characters and am eager to see where their path goes. Alternatively, he hit just the right amount of battle scenes for me, too. There were enough to keep the integrity of the story without dragging us through needless scenes. Roycroft knows how to maintain the flow of a battle scene. They were riveting and anxiety-inducing, yet were easy to follow.
“I guess that settles it. If you’re going, I’m going. You’ll never stand alone. It’s the only thing I can truly promise you.” Elan extended her arm to him. He rose into his shoulders, smiled, and they grasped forearms. “Together, then.”
This book was so quotable that I had a great deal of trouble limiting it to the four quotes I allowed myself. There’s wisdom and beautiful prose while not meandering into unnecessary flowery composition.
Lastly, he uses prophecies to his full advantage. As the prophecies unfold and we learn more about our characters, I am not sure whether some of my favorite characters will end up being the saviors or the villains, and I find that incredibly exciting. I don’t want the straightforward route, I like when an author makes getting to the conclusion of a series a battle within itself. I have a feeling that we are going to come out of this trilogy feeling like we were in the battles ourselves and there’s no better feeling.
“‘Trust me, I know what’s inside you.’ His bloody smile was grim. ‘Because it’s inside me, too.’”
Before we go, I would also like to give a nod to this cover art. It is visually striking and gives a nod to traditional book covers while looking gorgeously refreshing amongst the recent covers I’ve seen in the fantasy genre.
This was a pleasure to read and I can’t wait to see what Vaughn throws at us next. I am eager to see what he creates as his pacing, character development, and world-building skills keep sharpening against the blade of experience. He has already shown his immense, innate talent with this first novel.
Vaughn Roycroft knows how to write. The Severing Son certainly does not feel like a debut and in my opinion, could hold its own against many traditionally published fantasy novels. This book adds to the validity that self-published novels are often just as good —if not better— than trad pub. He’s going to be a name to watch.
His writing style is reminiscent of John Gwynne, in the best of ways. There’s a warmth to their writing that shines through, even when paired with the gruesome things that often happen in an epic fantasy setting. It doesn’t hurt that you can see the historical inspirations in their novels, especially Nordic culture and mythology.
“Holding a knife he made beauty. Holding a sword he only made trouble. A knife had a thousand uses. A sword had only one. His father always said that the best way to keep swords from spilling blood was to be the best at wielding one.”
I am a fan of multiple POVs in epic fantasy and Roycroft pulls off the switch-ups with ease. There were enough romantic scenarios to satisfy the romance-lover in me but not so much as to scare off the romance-shy. I found myself very much endeared to our characters and am eager to see where their path goes. Alternatively, he hit just the right amount of battle scenes for me, too. There were enough to keep the integrity of the story without dragging us through needless scenes. Roycroft knows how to maintain the flow of a battle scene. They were riveting and anxiety-inducing, yet were easy to follow.
“I guess that settles it. If you’re going, I’m going. You’ll never stand alone. It’s the only thing I can truly promise you.” Elan extended her arm to him. He rose into his shoulders, smiled, and they grasped forearms. “Together, then.”
This book was so quotable that I had a great deal of trouble limiting it to the four quotes I allowed myself. There’s wisdom and beautiful prose while not meandering into unnecessary flowery composition.
Lastly, he uses prophecies to his full advantage. As the prophecies unfold and we learn more about our characters, I am not sure whether some of my favorite characters will end up being the saviors or the villains, and I find that incredibly exciting. I don’t want the straightforward route, I like when an author makes getting to the conclusion of a series a battle within itself. I have a feeling that we are going to come out of this trilogy feeling like we were in the battles ourselves and there’s no better feeling.
“‘Trust me, I know what’s inside you.’ His bloody smile was grim. ‘Because it’s inside me, too.’”
Before we go, I would also like to give a nod to this cover art. It is visually striking and gives a nod to traditional book covers while looking gorgeously refreshing amongst the recent covers I’ve seen in the fantasy genre.
This was a pleasure to read and I can’t wait to see what Vaughn throws at us next. I am eager to see what he creates as his pacing, character development, and world-building skills keep sharpening against the blade of experience. He has already shown his immense, innate talent with this first novel.
July 14, 2023
This was a great book that really scratched a John Gwynne itch for me. Roycroft knows how to pen a battle, the grit and savagery of it. Easily one of the best combat authors in fantasy.
This book had two main POVs, with a smattering of other POVs throughout. Elan, the strong female warrior and Verhdan, the revenge-seeking possible chosen one. Can they work together to achieve Verhdan's destiny? Can their combined prowess grant him the revenge he seeks? Will they embrace and stay loyal to their cultures, or smash it all down? This book is a fun ride towards answering.
Admittedly, the lack of scope led to a bit of a lull for me about 60% in. The strong ending to this, though, looks to set up an expanded scope for book two. Which I will 100% be reading upon release.
This book had two main POVs, with a smattering of other POVs throughout. Elan, the strong female warrior and Verhdan, the revenge-seeking possible chosen one. Can they work together to achieve Verhdan's destiny? Can their combined prowess grant him the revenge he seeks? Will they embrace and stay loyal to their cultures, or smash it all down? This book is a fun ride towards answering.
Admittedly, the lack of scope led to a bit of a lull for me about 60% in. The strong ending to this, though, looks to set up an expanded scope for book two. Which I will 100% be reading upon release.
November 4, 2022
Tales of the Bringer of Urrian have been told for generations and maybe now is the time. Dark forces are on the move and the dreaded Spali warbands are raiding deep across the Borderlands. When out pursuing a Warband, Blade Wielder Elan and her host come across the compound of the outcast and his son, a young man that seems to fit the prophecy of the Bringer perfectly. Now through battle and circumstance her fate is entwined with the outcasts son and all that entails.
The Severing Son is the first book of the Sundered Nation trilogy and a debut novel, not that you would know that by reading this incredibly accomplished work of fantasy.
It is clear that this book is a labour of love and has been crafted with lots of thought and care
You get not only involved with the main characters, but also with finding out about this incredibly realised world. Character development is second to none, with one character in mind in particular. World building and the politics are subtlety done and underpin the entire plot.
The pacing is perfect, it's fast and relentless and the action is handled as well as I've ever read before, bone crunching and visceral, the descriptions have you almost believing you're there fighting in the mud and the guts. Indeed if you like fast paced action, with world building, great characters (even the bad ones are totally fleshed out and despicable) and politics thrown in then this is definitely the read for you. A stand out read of the year for me, book two will be a definite pre-order for me.
The Severing Son is the first book of the Sundered Nation trilogy and a debut novel, not that you would know that by reading this incredibly accomplished work of fantasy.
It is clear that this book is a labour of love and has been crafted with lots of thought and care
You get not only involved with the main characters, but also with finding out about this incredibly realised world. Character development is second to none, with one character in mind in particular. World building and the politics are subtlety done and underpin the entire plot.
The pacing is perfect, it's fast and relentless and the action is handled as well as I've ever read before, bone crunching and visceral, the descriptions have you almost believing you're there fighting in the mud and the guts. Indeed if you like fast paced action, with world building, great characters (even the bad ones are totally fleshed out and despicable) and politics thrown in then this is definitely the read for you. A stand out read of the year for me, book two will be a definite pre-order for me.
December 30, 2022
This is the meat, potatoes AND kale salad of epics.
Roycroft has crafted the history side of this historical fantasy with a deft hand, so that the reader doesn’t have a flood of clogged backstory before the driving action begins. Instead, the ancient tribal hierarchies—and in-fighting and jealousies and political maneuverings—are added to the steaming pot with the care of a sensitive chef. Things do come to boil, however—many times.
We’re introduced to fascinating peoples like the Skolani Blade Wielders, a group within a tribe of woman warriors who have protective allegiances to one of the main tribes, with complications galore. Indulge your tastes for dark prophecies, outcasts, heroes and knaves, peoples enslaved, and peoples in rebellion. And plenty of treachery. Besides all that, this is a love story, with swords—many are the moments of great feeling, among the flash of the blades.
Roycroft has crafted the history side of this historical fantasy with a deft hand, so that the reader doesn’t have a flood of clogged backstory before the driving action begins. Instead, the ancient tribal hierarchies—and in-fighting and jealousies and political maneuverings—are added to the steaming pot with the care of a sensitive chef. Things do come to boil, however—many times.
We’re introduced to fascinating peoples like the Skolani Blade Wielders, a group within a tribe of woman warriors who have protective allegiances to one of the main tribes, with complications galore. Indulge your tastes for dark prophecies, outcasts, heroes and knaves, peoples enslaved, and peoples in rebellion. And plenty of treachery. Besides all that, this is a love story, with swords—many are the moments of great feeling, among the flash of the blades.
May 31, 2025
The Severing Son is a cool world with a old school fantasy story.
Filled with revenge, some romance, and a chosen one.
this was a fascinating read with exciting battle scenes.
The character switching was a bit confusing for me, but I think that was mostly because of the narrator and that It feels like every characters had the same voice, if it makes sense? Would maybe been nice if the narrator did some changes to his way of speaking when he switched to another character. But overall I really liked the audiobook, the narrator had a nicly flowing and easy to understand when listen trough the book.
Filled with revenge, some romance, and a chosen one.
this was a fascinating read with exciting battle scenes.
The character switching was a bit confusing for me, but I think that was mostly because of the narrator and that It feels like every characters had the same voice, if it makes sense? Would maybe been nice if the narrator did some changes to his way of speaking when he switched to another character. But overall I really liked the audiobook, the narrator had a nicly flowing and easy to understand when listen trough the book.
December 19, 2022
The cover caught my attention so I thought I'd give it a try. I really enjoyed it, couldn't put it down! The story line was unique and interesting. I liked the way the lives of the different tribes were woven together, especially the role of the Skolani. It was an intricate story that kept my attention. I look forward to reading the next one in the series!
January 21, 2023
The Severing Son is a great read, a real page turner. As historical fantasy it provides a fully developed world with an interesting mix of Norse and Steppe cultural elements. The maps resemble the Black Sea and the ecological features fit that part of the planet. There are fierce women warrior border guards, an exiled hero, legends, a prophecy, and young people growing into their strengths by making plenty of mistakes. And a love story.
The satisfying ending sets up book two in the series. And I hope it comes out soon.
The satisfying ending sets up book two in the series. And I hope it comes out soon.
January 18, 2023
A Whole to World in Coming of Age Fantasy Adventure—Think Genghis Khan
Can’t wait for the next book in the saga of the Severing Son. Set in the prehistory on the fringe of the Steppes of far eastern Europe — the story world is welcome fresh territory. Set in a time apparently just before Marco Polo works his way East to China the Severing Son features bold women warriors committed to protect an an exiled leader and his family to restore justice to the herders of a tribe. A fun read for fantasy lovers who enjoy coming of age tales. Lots to look forward to in this series.
Can’t wait for the next book in the saga of the Severing Son. Set in the prehistory on the fringe of the Steppes of far eastern Europe — the story world is welcome fresh territory. Set in a time apparently just before Marco Polo works his way East to China the Severing Son features bold women warriors committed to protect an an exiled leader and his family to restore justice to the herders of a tribe. A fun read for fantasy lovers who enjoy coming of age tales. Lots to look forward to in this series.
March 26, 2025
*audiobook provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
I dove into this debut novel without reading the premise or having any expectations. I was pleasantly surprised by the heart-wrenching opening and sympathized with the characters far sooner than I usually do. This was the perfect hook for the beginning of the story. Typically, I prefer longer periods of interaction that do not advance the plot. Every chapter felt crucial to the next. I felt unsure how much time had passed in the book and it was very fast-paced. This is not a bad thing and kept me interested in the story. However, it would have been nice to read more world building and fighting practice. I loved Vahldan’s character development! His inner thoughts are very realistic and you can tell how much he matures by his inner monologue. He is definitely a well thought out character, but I missed that connection with Elan. She is an amazingly strong, yet flawed woman, but I did not sympathize or connect with her as easily. Extra background on her relationship with her friend would’ve been appreciated. I was rooting for her to find happiness and romance away from her friend the entire time and felt satisfied where she’s at in book 1. This is entirely a personal preference, but the romance was more sexual than emotional, which is not my cup of tea. Overall, this was a very good debut and the fantasy tropes the book has (prophesies, chosen one) are done very well. I recommend anyone who enjoys classic fantasy to read this!
I dove into this debut novel without reading the premise or having any expectations. I was pleasantly surprised by the heart-wrenching opening and sympathized with the characters far sooner than I usually do. This was the perfect hook for the beginning of the story. Typically, I prefer longer periods of interaction that do not advance the plot. Every chapter felt crucial to the next. I felt unsure how much time had passed in the book and it was very fast-paced. This is not a bad thing and kept me interested in the story. However, it would have been nice to read more world building and fighting practice. I loved Vahldan’s character development! His inner thoughts are very realistic and you can tell how much he matures by his inner monologue. He is definitely a well thought out character, but I missed that connection with Elan. She is an amazingly strong, yet flawed woman, but I did not sympathize or connect with her as easily. Extra background on her relationship with her friend would’ve been appreciated. I was rooting for her to find happiness and romance away from her friend the entire time and felt satisfied where she’s at in book 1. This is entirely a personal preference, but the romance was more sexual than emotional, which is not my cup of tea. Overall, this was a very good debut and the fantasy tropes the book has (prophesies, chosen one) are done very well. I recommend anyone who enjoys classic fantasy to read this!
November 14, 2025
This book is tailor-made for me, almost comically so. It has: Roman Empire era Germanic (the Goths) inspired clans, deep lore and worlbuilding, coming of age with revenge seeking, a well-executed MFF love triangle that is built upon duty, identity, and love, a chosen one prophecy with a reluctant chosen one, an Amazonian all-female warrior clan, political scheming and backstabbing, a low-key magic system, excellent battles and war tactics, and delivers a complete story arc but fully sets up the greater series. Honestly, this is the best indie book I've read all year, bar none, and if it wasn't for the masterpiece Jay Kristoff just released, it would be my book of the year.
The Amalus (lion) and Wulthus (wolf) clans of the Gottari people are fractured after the previous Lion Lord murdered the Wolf Lord over the Wolf Lord's betrothed (but remember, this is a political scheming book) and is banished with said betrothed (both actually loved each other, so no patriarchal society shenanigans here). Set years later, the Outcast's son is ordained the Bringer of the Urrinan via prophecy, essentially he is the harbinger of the end of the Gottari way of life. When the Outcast is hunted down by those dastardly political schemers, the chosen one must rise and reclaim his father's rightful place, plus some honor. But within him he carries an ugliness, one that makes him a killer, one that might break him before he can claim his father's stolen blade.
Put it this way, if you don't like revenge-seeking chosen ones, you probably won't like our main protagonist, Vahldan. He's young, he's brash, he's a hothead, he's reluctant, he's a failure in his father's eyes (maybe?), he loses himself to the "ugliness" (aka a blessing of a god that can threaten everything). But he also possesses everything we love about the farm boy chosen one trope. He's loyal, he's determined to right wrongs, he's fallible, he just wants to carve wooden animals. And he IS an incredible protagonist for everything listed above. I just loved everything about Vahldan's arc in this book.
But he'd be nothing as a character without our other main protagonist, Elan. Hands down, Elan might be one of my fave characters in a long while. Elan comes from the Skolani clan and is a Blade-Wielder (aka the Amazonians, but they are not just here for snu snu iykyk haha). The Skolani are respected warriors and they have a very interesting lore; with their oaths to their clan, their rites of fertility, and their rigorous training in hopes of earning a blade. Despite being a formidable warrior, Elan is incredibly deep, having so many warring emotions after meeting, and ultimately being assigned as Vahldan's guardian. Her arc is laced with ideations of self: self-discovery, self-loathing, self-wondering, self-growth. She is clearly torn by everything pulling her in multiple political angles.
And Elan is also the center of one of the best executed love triangles I've read in ages. Obviously there is the burgeoning romance between Vahldan and Elan, and it forms from respect, but more importantly, it's because Elan is able to ground Vahldan with his ugliness. Personally, it makes me think of the tactics I have to use with my neurodivergent son, or how some people might need go-to actions/words when in the middle of a panic or asthma attack. It was just an incredible touch by Roycroft to build this relationship in this manner. Then on the other side of the triangle is Elan and her love for her near-sister (Skolani term for mate) Princess Icannes. Theirs is a love built on their Skolani upbringing. At times, you want to really dislike Icannes because of the political manipulation happening and her brusque attitude toward men, Vahldan in particular, but in the end, her love is true. Watching Elan go through the wringer with what the Skolani do to women who leave the clan v being the only female in a lion's den of male soldiers, it made the final decision all the more powerful. Bravo, Mr. Roycroft, bravo!
Now, with all this charactering going on, we have an incredible political intrigue plot and unfolding war within these pages. We see four different factions all scheming to keep power, utilizing the big bad (an awesome goliath killer called Death's Grin and these badass horsemen) for their own means. Chess pieces being pushed all across the board, including Vahldan and Elan. It is nuanced, the political theater tense, things you might expect are turned upside down, the gotcha moments by the characters are actually quite clever. The war is deftly woven in and shown in all its horrible glory. Characters are cut down and trampled. It's all very entertaining and engaging.
The prose is adept, the pace cruises. The details were always there, the scenes always painted exactly. My only complaint is that time passes but it's never really clear how long, could've been weeks, maybe months. And I really couldn't put an age on Vahldan. At times he seems 16 but then other times he's 18+, and we are also told a ton of times his beard is thick (I know 16yr olds can have beards but I still struggled to figure it out). And Elan is only 2 years older, but when she makes her realization, it felt very adult, not exactly something you might expect from an 18ry old. Either way, and this is an admission of guilt, this book took me longer to read than a usual 550+ page book because I legitimately read every single word and took my time enjoying this story. As a speed reader who typically skims paragraphs to parse the meat of a book, this is high praise for Roycroft's storytelling. I also want to dive directly into book 2, another thing I don't always do with such a long TBR. Roycroft truly crafted something special with this book.
I'm really at a loss of how to end this review because this book is truly special. I enjoyed every page of The Severing Son and I recommend it with every fiber of my being!
The Amalus (lion) and Wulthus (wolf) clans of the Gottari people are fractured after the previous Lion Lord murdered the Wolf Lord over the Wolf Lord's betrothed (but remember, this is a political scheming book) and is banished with said betrothed (both actually loved each other, so no patriarchal society shenanigans here). Set years later, the Outcast's son is ordained the Bringer of the Urrinan via prophecy, essentially he is the harbinger of the end of the Gottari way of life. When the Outcast is hunted down by those dastardly political schemers, the chosen one must rise and reclaim his father's rightful place, plus some honor. But within him he carries an ugliness, one that makes him a killer, one that might break him before he can claim his father's stolen blade.
Put it this way, if you don't like revenge-seeking chosen ones, you probably won't like our main protagonist, Vahldan. He's young, he's brash, he's a hothead, he's reluctant, he's a failure in his father's eyes (maybe?), he loses himself to the "ugliness" (aka a blessing of a god that can threaten everything). But he also possesses everything we love about the farm boy chosen one trope. He's loyal, he's determined to right wrongs, he's fallible, he just wants to carve wooden animals. And he IS an incredible protagonist for everything listed above. I just loved everything about Vahldan's arc in this book.
But he'd be nothing as a character without our other main protagonist, Elan. Hands down, Elan might be one of my fave characters in a long while. Elan comes from the Skolani clan and is a Blade-Wielder (aka the Amazonians, but they are not just here for snu snu iykyk haha). The Skolani are respected warriors and they have a very interesting lore; with their oaths to their clan, their rites of fertility, and their rigorous training in hopes of earning a blade. Despite being a formidable warrior, Elan is incredibly deep, having so many warring emotions after meeting, and ultimately being assigned as Vahldan's guardian. Her arc is laced with ideations of self: self-discovery, self-loathing, self-wondering, self-growth. She is clearly torn by everything pulling her in multiple political angles.
And Elan is also the center of one of the best executed love triangles I've read in ages. Obviously there is the burgeoning romance between Vahldan and Elan, and it forms from respect, but more importantly, it's because Elan is able to ground Vahldan with his ugliness. Personally, it makes me think of the tactics I have to use with my neurodivergent son, or how some people might need go-to actions/words when in the middle of a panic or asthma attack. It was just an incredible touch by Roycroft to build this relationship in this manner. Then on the other side of the triangle is Elan and her love for her near-sister (Skolani term for mate) Princess Icannes. Theirs is a love built on their Skolani upbringing. At times, you want to really dislike Icannes because of the political manipulation happening and her brusque attitude toward men, Vahldan in particular, but in the end, her love is true. Watching Elan go through the wringer with what the Skolani do to women who leave the clan v being the only female in a lion's den of male soldiers, it made the final decision all the more powerful. Bravo, Mr. Roycroft, bravo!
Now, with all this charactering going on, we have an incredible political intrigue plot and unfolding war within these pages. We see four different factions all scheming to keep power, utilizing the big bad (an awesome goliath killer called Death's Grin and these badass horsemen) for their own means. Chess pieces being pushed all across the board, including Vahldan and Elan. It is nuanced, the political theater tense, things you might expect are turned upside down, the gotcha moments by the characters are actually quite clever. The war is deftly woven in and shown in all its horrible glory. Characters are cut down and trampled. It's all very entertaining and engaging.
The prose is adept, the pace cruises. The details were always there, the scenes always painted exactly. My only complaint is that time passes but it's never really clear how long, could've been weeks, maybe months. And I really couldn't put an age on Vahldan. At times he seems 16 but then other times he's 18+, and we are also told a ton of times his beard is thick (I know 16yr olds can have beards but I still struggled to figure it out). And Elan is only 2 years older, but when she makes her realization, it felt very adult, not exactly something you might expect from an 18ry old. Either way, and this is an admission of guilt, this book took me longer to read than a usual 550+ page book because I legitimately read every single word and took my time enjoying this story. As a speed reader who typically skims paragraphs to parse the meat of a book, this is high praise for Roycroft's storytelling. I also want to dive directly into book 2, another thing I don't always do with such a long TBR. Roycroft truly crafted something special with this book.
I'm really at a loss of how to end this review because this book is truly special. I enjoyed every page of The Severing Son and I recommend it with every fiber of my being!
April 15, 2023
One of my top reads ever! Wow! This book was so well written and it had me hooked from the first page to the last. It almost consumed me honestly. When I put it down, I thought about it more. Everyone needs to buy this book!
It just flowed so good! I normally like fantasy books with magic but this could have changed what I should read more of!
Once again I believe everyone should own this book. Such a great book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the story! This author is such a good guy too. He is so easy to root for.
It just flowed so good! I normally like fantasy books with magic but this could have changed what I should read more of!
Once again I believe everyone should own this book. Such a great book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the story! This author is such a good guy too. He is so easy to root for.
November 6, 2022
warning
The writing was excellent, the story was good. There are lots of battles and intrigue. However the sex scenes were not necessary to the story. Would not recommend to anyone under 18 or those who do not like explicit sex, between opposite sexes, and implied sex between same sex characters.
The writing was excellent, the story was good. There are lots of battles and intrigue. However the sex scenes were not necessary to the story. Would not recommend to anyone under 18 or those who do not like explicit sex, between opposite sexes, and implied sex between same sex characters.
November 30, 2022
Reading a book written by one of my friends is always a fraught experience. What if I don’t like it? To make matters worse, in this case the novel is in a genre I generally ignore. Battles and swords? Not my thing, and based on the cover blurb, I expected a lot of that thing. So I’m more than a little pleased to report it didn’t take long for me to get caught up in this story.
Vaughn Roycroft has drawn complicated, believable characters struggling to come to terms with their separate yet intertwined realities. The young man who doesn’t want to kill finds himself thrust into the necessity, discovering that he’s actually very good at it. We watch him mature as he searches his conscience, exploring the moral dichotomy of “honorable” killing, and learning to fight as a means to seek justice rather than out of rage. The young woman who’s pledged as his guardian finds herself caught between two worlds, no longer fully accepted in the old, yet with no desire to become a part of the new.
Yes, there are battles between armies and individuals, with lots of sword play and fancy horseback riding, but the interior struggles of these well-drawn individuals gives a timeless depth to the story. Their struggles are something we can all relate to. The ultimate villain is there, of course, and he is completely evil, as villains in novels tend to be. But other characters are not so black or white. Good people have moments of weakness and do questionable things. Enemies sometimes evolve to a new way of thinking, deciding to do the honorable thing.
The world in which all this plays out is impressively complex. Near as I can tell, the story takes place sometime in the Middle Ages, on the edge of the Eurasian Steppe. I suspect the old legends of Amazons were the inspiration for Vaughn’s Skolani tribe of female warriors. And I’m curious to learn whether any of the other tribes were a part, real or legendary, of Eurasian history. In fact, I wish the author had given some hint of this, somewhere. Inside the cover? In an introduction? I also more than once found myself wishing for a map of the location where all this action takes place.
My only other critique is the wealth of characters, tribes, and locations poured onto the early pages of the novel. I found it difficult at first to keep track of who was who, and which tribe was which. Maybe others with more agile minds won’t have this trouble. I would just urge any other reader who feels overwhelmed at first to keep going. Things will soon become clear. They certainly did for me.
By the time I was a third of the way into this debut novel, I found myself thinking about it as I went about my day, eager to get back to it. And more than once I stayed awake later than I should have because I was too caught up to put it down. In the end, I think that’s one of the best things I can say about any novel. It captivated me.
Kudos, Vaughn Roycroft.
Vaughn Roycroft has drawn complicated, believable characters struggling to come to terms with their separate yet intertwined realities. The young man who doesn’t want to kill finds himself thrust into the necessity, discovering that he’s actually very good at it. We watch him mature as he searches his conscience, exploring the moral dichotomy of “honorable” killing, and learning to fight as a means to seek justice rather than out of rage. The young woman who’s pledged as his guardian finds herself caught between two worlds, no longer fully accepted in the old, yet with no desire to become a part of the new.
Yes, there are battles between armies and individuals, with lots of sword play and fancy horseback riding, but the interior struggles of these well-drawn individuals gives a timeless depth to the story. Their struggles are something we can all relate to. The ultimate villain is there, of course, and he is completely evil, as villains in novels tend to be. But other characters are not so black or white. Good people have moments of weakness and do questionable things. Enemies sometimes evolve to a new way of thinking, deciding to do the honorable thing.
The world in which all this plays out is impressively complex. Near as I can tell, the story takes place sometime in the Middle Ages, on the edge of the Eurasian Steppe. I suspect the old legends of Amazons were the inspiration for Vaughn’s Skolani tribe of female warriors. And I’m curious to learn whether any of the other tribes were a part, real or legendary, of Eurasian history. In fact, I wish the author had given some hint of this, somewhere. Inside the cover? In an introduction? I also more than once found myself wishing for a map of the location where all this action takes place.
My only other critique is the wealth of characters, tribes, and locations poured onto the early pages of the novel. I found it difficult at first to keep track of who was who, and which tribe was which. Maybe others with more agile minds won’t have this trouble. I would just urge any other reader who feels overwhelmed at first to keep going. Things will soon become clear. They certainly did for me.
By the time I was a third of the way into this debut novel, I found myself thinking about it as I went about my day, eager to get back to it. And more than once I stayed awake later than I should have because I was too caught up to put it down. In the end, I think that’s one of the best things I can say about any novel. It captivated me.
Kudos, Vaughn Roycroft.
February 28, 2025
Summary: Elan seeks meaning. Valdhan seeks his own path. Fate seems arrayed against them. But isn't that the stuff of legends. The Severing Son is the epic tale of a people screaming into the next age like newborns as told from the perspective of the pivotal hero. A series of events puts Valdhan and his family in the hands of Elan and they form a bond. Together they will split the world. Everyone wants to use them. People want them dead. No one wants them to be together. And the more the world tries to pull them apart, the more they need each other.
This is an epic tale with grand scope.
The Good: I was sucked right in from the beginning. Vaughn had me. One of those things I look for in a book is whether or not I "want" to read it. This one had me staying up late and being late to meetings. I burned through it. Another thing I look for is an emotional response. I found myself at times angry and sad and frustrated and yearning. I thought about Valdhan and Elan every night. If it were those two things alone, it would be enough.
Vaughn paints an incredible image of the Iron Age. I don't even know if it's our Iron Age. I started thinking of Britainnia, but I think I decided it's northern France or southern Germany that suits better. Maybe he'll tell us. Either way, I was so immersed in his world I could smell the grass and feel the calluses on Elan's hands. Each of the Danian peoples have a distinct texture to them. The Gottari, the Skolani, the Spali, and the Carpans are easy to imagine and believe.
He does a marvelous job of communicating action, big or small. In the ring of the trial, you can feel the skin beneath your feet and the pressure of all those clansmen beating their shields. On the field you can feel the rush of the wind, the taut muscles of your steed, and the sweat cooling your skin. Victory is not assured for anyone. One slip might be your last. And the white noise of the ugliness takes you...
I could go on, but I won't.
The Bad: Speaking ill of such a fine example feels wrong. That said, there are some one note characters and a few conveniences, but none so bothersome as to draw attention. I had some trouble with spatial relationships on a grand scale. I always felt grounded in the place I was, but never really understood how one place related to another. I couldn't really put my mind around the Dania as a whole.
I'll leave it to someone else to complain about the little things. Even ice cream has detractors.
Overall: I have no idea how this book isn't more popular. If I weren't in the community, I'm not sure I would have heard about it or picked it up. But I'll tell you, if you love Bernard Cornwell, Anthony Ryan, or even George RR Martin, you'll love this. I loved this book. I'm kicking myself for not giving this a pure five out of five stars, but there it is. A damn fine book.
4.9 of 5 stars for me.
This is an epic tale with grand scope.
The Good: I was sucked right in from the beginning. Vaughn had me. One of those things I look for in a book is whether or not I "want" to read it. This one had me staying up late and being late to meetings. I burned through it. Another thing I look for is an emotional response. I found myself at times angry and sad and frustrated and yearning. I thought about Valdhan and Elan every night. If it were those two things alone, it would be enough.
Vaughn paints an incredible image of the Iron Age. I don't even know if it's our Iron Age. I started thinking of Britainnia, but I think I decided it's northern France or southern Germany that suits better. Maybe he'll tell us. Either way, I was so immersed in his world I could smell the grass and feel the calluses on Elan's hands. Each of the Danian peoples have a distinct texture to them. The Gottari, the Skolani, the Spali, and the Carpans are easy to imagine and believe.
He does a marvelous job of communicating action, big or small. In the ring of the trial, you can feel the skin beneath your feet and the pressure of all those clansmen beating their shields. On the field you can feel the rush of the wind, the taut muscles of your steed, and the sweat cooling your skin. Victory is not assured for anyone. One slip might be your last. And the white noise of the ugliness takes you...
I could go on, but I won't.
The Bad: Speaking ill of such a fine example feels wrong. That said, there are some one note characters and a few conveniences, but none so bothersome as to draw attention. I had some trouble with spatial relationships on a grand scale. I always felt grounded in the place I was, but never really understood how one place related to another. I couldn't really put my mind around the Dania as a whole.
I'll leave it to someone else to complain about the little things. Even ice cream has detractors.
Overall: I have no idea how this book isn't more popular. If I weren't in the community, I'm not sure I would have heard about it or picked it up. But I'll tell you, if you love Bernard Cornwell, Anthony Ryan, or even George RR Martin, you'll love this. I loved this book. I'm kicking myself for not giving this a pure five out of five stars, but there it is. A damn fine book.
4.9 of 5 stars for me.
February 2, 2024
Actual rating: 3.75/5.
For people who love sagas, viking inspired, or berserker tales you will probably love this book. For me, I enjoyed it, but felt it had a few detractors.
For starters the books first 3/5ths are spelled out right in the opening chapter. This, as well as a story retelling to open up each chapter taking place after the events of the book kind of ruin the tension for a lot of the scenes. There are still tense moments in trying to figure out how our characters will get out of a bind, but not that kind of anxious 'what if something ultra negative happens' tension. We are explicitly told the characters fates for this novel early on, and repeated again a few times throughout. I wish that this wasn't the case, or that there would be some sort of subversion by the author. But alas.
I still enjoyed the book overall, but I definitely oscillated with this or a lower rating because of that tension problem. I do like the various factions at play, and felt that each had strong motivations and a hand in the plot so to speak.
There is a love triangle in here that kind of baffled me. We have a MF aspect, and then a FF aspect. We explore the first quite explicitly, but then don't for the FF one. In addition to that, seeing the F go back and forth and act like a completely different character each time was a bit whiplash inducing. How that character ends up was a head scratcher for me, but again didn't surprise me as we are told this would be the case right from the get go. I just didn't believe her motivation.
I also felt like this book could have benefited from adding in page breaks that separate a Part 1 from Part 2 and then 3, etc. because there is a lot of closure multiple times, as well as some similar feeling ends to arcs. The book could've ended after a few of these rewarding emotional moments and stood up as a solid stand alone entry. I don't think I will read on with the rest of the series because of this, but maybe in 2 months or 2 years I will wonder what the Severing Son and Co got up to and continue. So never say never.
There are some really horrific/lovely worded passages within this book, which tell me the author has quite a talent spinning this tale. But then there are also scenes and chapters where the pacing is way too quick, with no time to process some weighty emotional story beats. I hope this gets polished and more consistent with more writing, but also the end notes by the author say that he has been writing for 10 years or so.. so maybe this was intentional too?
For people who love sagas, viking inspired, or berserker tales you will probably love this book. For me, I enjoyed it, but felt it had a few detractors.
For starters the books first 3/5ths are spelled out right in the opening chapter. This, as well as a story retelling to open up each chapter taking place after the events of the book kind of ruin the tension for a lot of the scenes. There are still tense moments in trying to figure out how our characters will get out of a bind, but not that kind of anxious 'what if something ultra negative happens' tension. We are explicitly told the characters fates for this novel early on, and repeated again a few times throughout. I wish that this wasn't the case, or that there would be some sort of subversion by the author. But alas.
I still enjoyed the book overall, but I definitely oscillated with this or a lower rating because of that tension problem. I do like the various factions at play, and felt that each had strong motivations and a hand in the plot so to speak.
There is a love triangle in here that kind of baffled me. We have a MF aspect, and then a FF aspect. We explore the first quite explicitly, but then don't for the FF one. In addition to that, seeing the F go back and forth and act like a completely different character each time was a bit whiplash inducing. How that character ends up was a head scratcher for me, but again didn't surprise me as we are told this would be the case right from the get go. I just didn't believe her motivation.
I also felt like this book could have benefited from adding in page breaks that separate a Part 1 from Part 2 and then 3, etc. because there is a lot of closure multiple times, as well as some similar feeling ends to arcs. The book could've ended after a few of these rewarding emotional moments and stood up as a solid stand alone entry. I don't think I will read on with the rest of the series because of this, but maybe in 2 months or 2 years I will wonder what the Severing Son and Co got up to and continue. So never say never.
There are some really horrific/lovely worded passages within this book, which tell me the author has quite a talent spinning this tale. But then there are also scenes and chapters where the pacing is way too quick, with no time to process some weighty emotional story beats. I hope this gets polished and more consistent with more writing, but also the end notes by the author say that he has been writing for 10 years or so.. so maybe this was intentional too?
May 27, 2025
Full disclosure: I received a courtesy Audible copy in exchange for an honest review. And, as an aside, Vaughn has been incredibly kind to me as a person when he didn't have to be, so he has a fan for life.
In any event, if I had to compare this book to an experience, I’d say it’s like jumping into a river: where you get swept up immediately (in the world he creates), need a minute to get settled, and absolutely end up along for the ride. Roycroft throws you into a gritty world full of clashing clans, ancient prophecies, and intense battles. Vahldan, our hero with a destiny he is trying to fulfill, and Elan, the warrior who can match him sword for sword, both shine in a story that feels part Game of Thrones, part historical epic. The pace is quick and never boring.
Big fan of the worldbuilding, big fan of the characters. This is book one in a trilogy, and I’m all in for what’s next. Definitely recommended!
In any event, if I had to compare this book to an experience, I’d say it’s like jumping into a river: where you get swept up immediately (in the world he creates), need a minute to get settled, and absolutely end up along for the ride. Roycroft throws you into a gritty world full of clashing clans, ancient prophecies, and intense battles. Vahldan, our hero with a destiny he is trying to fulfill, and Elan, the warrior who can match him sword for sword, both shine in a story that feels part Game of Thrones, part historical epic. The pace is quick and never boring.
Big fan of the worldbuilding, big fan of the characters. This is book one in a trilogy, and I’m all in for what’s next. Definitely recommended!
August 29, 2025
The Severing Son by Vaughn Roycroft is the beginning of a trilogy and a book I've been meaning to get to for a while having seen heavy praise for it coming from the_shaggy_shepherd and cassidee.omnilegent but what I did think? 🤔
The book that starts us off with the son of a exiled chieftain is one of the fastest pace epic fantasy I've read in a while throwing us straight into a very well done battle scene with an aftermath I won't spoil, the son who wishes to be a warrior but struggles with the legacy of his father and a berserker like side he struggles to control was a very enjoyable character, while Elan a sword warrior in a female dominated tribe was just as fun to read.
Being honest it felt a bit John Gynne which if you've ever read faithful and the fallen you'd know is a compliment, the prose is wonderful esp for a debut and once I got properly into it I just wanted to keep going and going,
Very happy with how this went overall 😊
The book that starts us off with the son of a exiled chieftain is one of the fastest pace epic fantasy I've read in a while throwing us straight into a very well done battle scene with an aftermath I won't spoil, the son who wishes to be a warrior but struggles with the legacy of his father and a berserker like side he struggles to control was a very enjoyable character, while Elan a sword warrior in a female dominated tribe was just as fun to read.
Being honest it felt a bit John Gynne which if you've ever read faithful and the fallen you'd know is a compliment, the prose is wonderful esp for a debut and once I got properly into it I just wanted to keep going and going,
Very happy with how this went overall 😊
July 21, 2024
The Severing Son is, in different ways, a very impressive and very amateurish book. The world is relatively basic, with clear historical analogies for the various struggles faced by the main character. While deeply inspired by history, this setting seems shallow compared to other. The characters are excellent, however. All of the characters are flawed, and occasionally this realistic character work can be quite frustrating, as characters make bad or contradictory choices, even while maintaining their end goals. But the payoffs are significant, and the characters are conflicted in interesting and believable ways, especially the younger characters. I really enjoyed this book, although the structure of the conflicts seemed a bit off. I will be reading the sequel at some point.
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