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Foundling
High and Heroic, this is Epic Arthurian Fantasy at its deepest.
Live it on the Inside – from the Intimate to the World-shattering.
Discovered in the remote forest swamp, the tall, powerfully-built stranger has seemingly appeared from nowhere. Badly injured and speaking an unknown language, he has no memory of who or what he is; or where he is from.Named as “Kyre”, he is dragged away, and forced to fight for his life. By sheer speed and violence, he defeats the sword-wielding patrol that found him.The troopers’ captain and a young woman member of a clandestine sisterhood each decide he could be valuable for their own purposes. They conspire with and against each other to make use of this apparent Pit-born savage.Despite being compelled to fight in the arena, and then to train a group of aristocratic young men and women to fight, his injuries begin to heal. As his skills develop, he becomes the brutal enforcer for the sisterhood.While the schemes of the Sisterhood, the army commanders, and the Realm Lord start to unravel in the face of unforeseen realm-wide events, his own thoughts of purpose and destiny begin to take shape...The Lordlands Realm will never be the same again.
424 pages, Paperback
Published November 25, 2022
2 people want to read
About the author
Trevor Watts
33 books1 followerTrevor is a Nottinghamshire, UK writer. Educated at Old Basford Primary School, Nottingham; High Pavement Grammar School, Nottingham; Hull University, and Nottingham University.
His short stories and poems have frequently won prizes, and he has appeared on television discussing local matters.
As well as the Realms of Kyre medieval fantasy saga, the New-Classic Sci-Fi books, and the OsssOss Series of short stories, he has published many reader-friendly non-fiction books and articles. These are mostly about exploring active volcanoes around the world, and searching for fossilised dinosaur footprints on Yorkshire’s Jurassic coast.
In the 1980s, his Ph.D. research pioneered the use of computers in the education of children with profound learning difficulties. Much of this research was published in educational, medical and computing magazines and journals.
He spent fourteen years at the classroom chalkface; sixteen as headteacher of a special school; and sixteen as an Ofsted school inspector to round it off. At the time, his teacher wife, Chris, joked that it was “Sleeping with the Enemy”.
Now retired, Trevor writes, walks the local footpaths; curses his computers; and loves his wife, the cat and his kids.
His short stories and poems have frequently won prizes, and he has appeared on television discussing local matters.
As well as the Realms of Kyre medieval fantasy saga, the New-Classic Sci-Fi books, and the OsssOss Series of short stories, he has published many reader-friendly non-fiction books and articles. These are mostly about exploring active volcanoes around the world, and searching for fossilised dinosaur footprints on Yorkshire’s Jurassic coast.
In the 1980s, his Ph.D. research pioneered the use of computers in the education of children with profound learning difficulties. Much of this research was published in educational, medical and computing magazines and journals.
He spent fourteen years at the classroom chalkface; sixteen as headteacher of a special school; and sixteen as an Ofsted school inspector to round it off. At the time, his teacher wife, Chris, joked that it was “Sleeping with the Enemy”.
Now retired, Trevor writes, walks the local footpaths; curses his computers; and loves his wife, the cat and his kids.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 13, 2025
Foundling is a richly layered epic fantasy that carries the weight of old legends while grounding itself in deeply human emotion. From its opening moments, the novel pulls the reader into a harsh and unforgiving world through the eyes of Kyre, a wounded stranger with no memory, no language, and no place to belong. His discovery in the swamp feels symbolic like a man born into violence rather than into life and that sense of displacement follows him throughout the story.
Kyre’s journey is not one of instant heroism, but of endurance. Forced to fight, exploited by soldiers and a secretive sisterhood, and shaped by political ambition, he is repeatedly treated as a tool rather than a person. Trevor Watts writes these moments with restraint and care, allowing the emotional impact to come from what Kyre cannot say as much as from what he does. As his body heals and his skills sharpen, an inner struggle quietly grows,the need to understand who he is and whether his fate has already been decided for him.
The broader world of the Lordlands Realm unfolds slowly, with careful attention to power, manipulation, and consequence. The schemes of the Sisterhood, military leaders, and the Realm Lord add tension without overwhelming the personal story at the center. When larger events begin to shake the realm, they mirror Kyre’s own awakening, giving the narrative a strong emotional resonance. Foundling is epic fantasy that values depth over spectacle, offering a thoughtful, immersive experience that lingers long after the final page.
Kyre’s journey is not one of instant heroism, but of endurance. Forced to fight, exploited by soldiers and a secretive sisterhood, and shaped by political ambition, he is repeatedly treated as a tool rather than a person. Trevor Watts writes these moments with restraint and care, allowing the emotional impact to come from what Kyre cannot say as much as from what he does. As his body heals and his skills sharpen, an inner struggle quietly grows,the need to understand who he is and whether his fate has already been decided for him.
The broader world of the Lordlands Realm unfolds slowly, with careful attention to power, manipulation, and consequence. The schemes of the Sisterhood, military leaders, and the Realm Lord add tension without overwhelming the personal story at the center. When larger events begin to shake the realm, they mirror Kyre’s own awakening, giving the narrative a strong emotional resonance. Foundling is epic fantasy that values depth over spectacle, offering a thoughtful, immersive experience that lingers long after the final page.
December 10, 2025
I just finished Foundling, and honestly, I’m still reeling from it. From the very first pages, the story grabs you and doesn’t let go. Kyre’s journey from being discovered in that remote swamp, injured and lost, to becoming this incredibly formidable force is both brutal and awe-inspiring. You feel every struggle, every pang of confusion, and every small victory as if it’s your own.
The way Watts writes about the world,the politics, the secretive sisterhood, the military, and the sprawling Realm is deeply immersive. It’s not just action for action’s sake, there’s a pulse to it, an emotional undercurrent that makes you care about the characters even when they do terrible things. Kyre’s evolution, from a nameless, pit born stranger to a powerful enforcer with a sense of purpose, is raw and fascinating.
What really struck me is how the book balances intimate character moments with world shattering events. You’re constantly thinking about the choices Kyre makes, the schemes unfolding around him, and the weight of destiny pressing down on him. It’s epic, yes, but it’s also intimate and deeply human in a way that many fantasy books miss.
If you love Arthurian inspired fantasy that’s gritty, morally complex, and emotionally charged, this is absolutely a must read. By the end, you’ll be thinking about Kyre and the Lordlands Realm long after you’ve turned the last page.
The way Watts writes about the world,the politics, the secretive sisterhood, the military, and the sprawling Realm is deeply immersive. It’s not just action for action’s sake, there’s a pulse to it, an emotional undercurrent that makes you care about the characters even when they do terrible things. Kyre’s evolution, from a nameless, pit born stranger to a powerful enforcer with a sense of purpose, is raw and fascinating.
What really struck me is how the book balances intimate character moments with world shattering events. You’re constantly thinking about the choices Kyre makes, the schemes unfolding around him, and the weight of destiny pressing down on him. It’s epic, yes, but it’s also intimate and deeply human in a way that many fantasy books miss.
If you love Arthurian inspired fantasy that’s gritty, morally complex, and emotionally charged, this is absolutely a must read. By the end, you’ll be thinking about Kyre and the Lordlands Realm long after you’ve turned the last page.
December 13, 2025
Foundling by Trevor Watts is a deeply immersive work of epic fantasy that places emotional truth at the center of its sweeping Arthurian scope. From the opening scene, the reader is drawn into a world that is harsh, political, and unforgiving, seen through the eyes of Kyre a man without memory, language, or identity. His discovery in a remote swamp feels symbolic, as though he has been torn from the earth itself and thrust into a world that immediately seeks to control him.
What makes this novel stand out is its refusal to romanticize heroism. Kyre survives not because he is noble, but because he is fast, violent, and desperate. As he is forced into arenas, training grounds, and political machinations, the emotional weight of his exploitation becomes increasingly clear. Trevor Watts allows Kyre’s inner struggle to unfold slowly, giving the reader time to feel his confusion, isolation, and quiet longing for meaning.
The political intrigue is carefully layered, involving soldiers, a secretive sisterhood, and a ruling power whose certainty begins to crumble. These external conflicts mirror Kyre’s internal awakening, making the story feel cohesive and purposeful. Foundling is not just about the transformation of a realm,it is about the painful, human process of becoming someone in a world determined to define you first.
What makes this novel stand out is its refusal to romanticize heroism. Kyre survives not because he is noble, but because he is fast, violent, and desperate. As he is forced into arenas, training grounds, and political machinations, the emotional weight of his exploitation becomes increasingly clear. Trevor Watts allows Kyre’s inner struggle to unfold slowly, giving the reader time to feel his confusion, isolation, and quiet longing for meaning.
The political intrigue is carefully layered, involving soldiers, a secretive sisterhood, and a ruling power whose certainty begins to crumble. These external conflicts mirror Kyre’s internal awakening, making the story feel cohesive and purposeful. Foundling is not just about the transformation of a realm,it is about the painful, human process of becoming someone in a world determined to define you first.
December 13, 2025
Trevor Watts’ Foundling is epic fantasy told with restraint, patience, and emotional intelligence. Rather than rushing to grand battles or prophetic declarations, the novel grounds itself in the lived experience of its central character. Kyre begins as a mystery wounded, voiceless, and stripped of memory,but quickly becomes one of the most emotionally compelling figures in the genre.
Kyre’s early encounters are brutal and unsettling, emphasizing survival over spectacle. Watts writes violence as consequence, not celebration, and this approach gives the story a sobering realism. As Kyre is claimed and shaped by powerful factions, particularly the clandestine sisterhood, the reader is forced to confront uncomfortable questions about control, agency, and identity. Kyre’s growing strength only deepens these questions, as his usefulness increases while his humanity is repeatedly overlooked.
The broader world of the Lordlands Realm unfolds with quiet confidence. Political schemes simmer beneath the surface, and when they begin to unravel, the fallout feels earned rather than convenient. Throughout it all, Kyre’s internal struggle remains the emotional anchor of the story. Foundling succeeds because it understands that epic fantasy is not defined by scale alone, but by how deeply it allows the reader to feel the cost of power and destiny.
Kyre’s early encounters are brutal and unsettling, emphasizing survival over spectacle. Watts writes violence as consequence, not celebration, and this approach gives the story a sobering realism. As Kyre is claimed and shaped by powerful factions, particularly the clandestine sisterhood, the reader is forced to confront uncomfortable questions about control, agency, and identity. Kyre’s growing strength only deepens these questions, as his usefulness increases while his humanity is repeatedly overlooked.
The broader world of the Lordlands Realm unfolds with quiet confidence. Political schemes simmer beneath the surface, and when they begin to unravel, the fallout feels earned rather than convenient. Throughout it all, Kyre’s internal struggle remains the emotional anchor of the story. Foundling succeeds because it understands that epic fantasy is not defined by scale alone, but by how deeply it allows the reader to feel the cost of power and destiny.
December 13, 2025
Foundling is a novel that understands the power of silence. Trevor Watts crafts an epic fantasy where what is left unsaid carries as much weight as any battle or proclamation. Kyre’s inability to communicate in the early stages of the story creates an immediate emotional connection, forcing the reader to experience the world as he does,confused, vulnerable, and constantly at risk.
Kyre’s journey is one of forced transformation. Dragged from captivity to combat, from survival to servitude, he is shaped by the ambitions of others long before he understands his own. Watts excels at portraying this slow erosion of autonomy, making Kyre’s physical healing feel almost ironic against his emotional uncertainty. The novel never allows the reader to forget that strength, when exploited, becomes a burden rather than a gift.
The political elements of the story are layered with care. The sisterhood, the military, and the ruling powers are complex forces, driven by belief as much as ambition. Their conflicts feel organic, and their eventual unraveling mirrors Kyre’s growing awareness of purpose and destiny. Foundling is epic fantasy that rewards patience, offering a story that is thoughtful, emotionally grounded, and quietly powerful.
Kyre’s journey is one of forced transformation. Dragged from captivity to combat, from survival to servitude, he is shaped by the ambitions of others long before he understands his own. Watts excels at portraying this slow erosion of autonomy, making Kyre’s physical healing feel almost ironic against his emotional uncertainty. The novel never allows the reader to forget that strength, when exploited, becomes a burden rather than a gift.
The political elements of the story are layered with care. The sisterhood, the military, and the ruling powers are complex forces, driven by belief as much as ambition. Their conflicts feel organic, and their eventual unraveling mirrors Kyre’s growing awareness of purpose and destiny. Foundling is epic fantasy that rewards patience, offering a story that is thoughtful, emotionally grounded, and quietly powerful.
December 13, 2025
Trevor Watts’ Foundling reads like an ancient legend told with modern emotional depth. It is a story that values inner transformation as much as external conflict, allowing its hero’s journey to unfold in a way that feels both inevitable and deeply personal. Kyre’s emergence from the swamp is not a triumphant birth, but a painful beginning, marked by confusion and violence.
What follows is a relentless exploration of how power operates. Kyre is not asked who he is or what he wants.he is assessed, categorized, and used. His role as an arena fighter and later as a trainer and enforcer is unsettling, precisely because it is portrayed as logical within the world’s structure. Watts does not excuse this exploitation, but he presents it honestly, allowing the emotional weight to speak for itself.
The world building is rich without being overwhelming. Political tensions simmer quietly until larger events begin to tear the realm apart, and these shifts feel grounded in character driven decisions. By the end of the novel, Kyre’s evolving sense of purpose resonates deeply. Foundling is a story about survival, identity, and the fragile line between being shaped by destiny and choosing one’s own path.
What follows is a relentless exploration of how power operates. Kyre is not asked who he is or what he wants.he is assessed, categorized, and used. His role as an arena fighter and later as a trainer and enforcer is unsettling, precisely because it is portrayed as logical within the world’s structure. Watts does not excuse this exploitation, but he presents it honestly, allowing the emotional weight to speak for itself.
The world building is rich without being overwhelming. Political tensions simmer quietly until larger events begin to tear the realm apart, and these shifts feel grounded in character driven decisions. By the end of the novel, Kyre’s evolving sense of purpose resonates deeply. Foundling is a story about survival, identity, and the fragile line between being shaped by destiny and choosing one’s own path.
December 13, 2025
Foundling is epic fantasy for readers who appreciate depth over spectacle. Trevor Watts constructs a world that feels ancient and lived in, but never lets world building overshadow the emotional journey of his protagonist. Kyre’s story begins in silence and pain, and that vulnerability remains central even as he grows stronger.
Kyre’s lack of memory and language forces the reader to focus on his actions and internal responses rather than dialogue. This creates a powerful emotional intimacy, especially as he is drawn into increasingly complex roles within the realm. His transformation into an enforcer for the sisterhood is particularly striking, as it highlights how easily survival can become complicity.
The novel’s political intrigue is subtle and well paced. The competing agendas of the sisterhood, the military, and the Realm Lord add tension without overwhelming the narrative. As these schemes begin to unravel, the consequences feel both personal and far reaching. Watts’ greatest strength lies in his ability to align Kyre’s internal awakening with the external collapse of order. Foundling is thoughtful, restrained, and emotionally resonant.a fantasy novel that stays with you because it feels true.
Kyre’s lack of memory and language forces the reader to focus on his actions and internal responses rather than dialogue. This creates a powerful emotional intimacy, especially as he is drawn into increasingly complex roles within the realm. His transformation into an enforcer for the sisterhood is particularly striking, as it highlights how easily survival can become complicity.
The novel’s political intrigue is subtle and well paced. The competing agendas of the sisterhood, the military, and the Realm Lord add tension without overwhelming the narrative. As these schemes begin to unravel, the consequences feel both personal and far reaching. Watts’ greatest strength lies in his ability to align Kyre’s internal awakening with the external collapse of order. Foundling is thoughtful, restrained, and emotionally resonant.a fantasy novel that stays with you because it feels true.
December 14, 2025
oundling is a dark, emotionally grounded work of epic Arthurian fantasy that focuses as much on inner struggle as on swords and power. Trevor Watts introduces us to Kyre, a nameless, wounded stranger found in a swamp, and immediately places the reader inside his confusion, pain, and raw survival instinct. His lack of memory is not a gimmick but a genuine absence that shapes every choice he makes.
The novel’s violence is sharp and unsparing. Battles are fast and brutal, never romanticized, reinforcing the sense that Kyre is valued less as a person than as a weapon. This theme carries through the political intrigue involving the Sisterhood, military commanders, and the Realm Lord. Each faction feels believable in its motives, creating a world where manipulation is subtle and power is always conditional.
Watts excels at portraying moral tension. Kyre’s forced role as fighter and enforcer raises uncomfortable questions about identity, agency, and responsibility. While parts of the middle section move slowly, they allow Kyre’s emerging sense of self to develop in a convincing way.
Overall, Foundling is a thoughtful, serious fantasy novel that rewards patience. It is emotionally realistic, morally complex, and leaves a lasting impression long after the final page.
The novel’s violence is sharp and unsparing. Battles are fast and brutal, never romanticized, reinforcing the sense that Kyre is valued less as a person than as a weapon. This theme carries through the political intrigue involving the Sisterhood, military commanders, and the Realm Lord. Each faction feels believable in its motives, creating a world where manipulation is subtle and power is always conditional.
Watts excels at portraying moral tension. Kyre’s forced role as fighter and enforcer raises uncomfortable questions about identity, agency, and responsibility. While parts of the middle section move slowly, they allow Kyre’s emerging sense of self to develop in a convincing way.
Overall, Foundling is a thoughtful, serious fantasy novel that rewards patience. It is emotionally realistic, morally complex, and leaves a lasting impression long after the final page.
December 13, 2025
Trevor Watts approaches epic fantasy with remarkable patience in Foundling. Rather than relying on prophecy or instant heroism, he allows his story to grow organically through character, consequence, and emotional realism. Kyre’s journey begins with loss of memory, of voice, of agency and that loss shapes every step forward.
Kyre’s early battles are raw and uncomfortable, grounded in instinct rather than honor. As he is pulled deeper into the structures of power within the realm, the reader witnesses how strength becomes currency. Watts excels at showing how Kyre’s usefulness increases even as his freedom diminishes, creating a quiet tension that runs throughout the novel.
The political landscape is carefully constructed, with shifting alliances and hidden motives that slowly come into focus. When larger events begin to disrupt the balance of the realm, the impact feels earned and inevitable. Kyre’s growing sense of purpose does not arrive as revelation, but as accumulation of pain, experience, and reflection. Foundling is an emotionally intelligent fantasy that respects its readers, offering a story that is as reflective as it is powerful.
Kyre’s early battles are raw and uncomfortable, grounded in instinct rather than honor. As he is pulled deeper into the structures of power within the realm, the reader witnesses how strength becomes currency. Watts excels at showing how Kyre’s usefulness increases even as his freedom diminishes, creating a quiet tension that runs throughout the novel.
The political landscape is carefully constructed, with shifting alliances and hidden motives that slowly come into focus. When larger events begin to disrupt the balance of the realm, the impact feels earned and inevitable. Kyre’s growing sense of purpose does not arrive as revelation, but as accumulation of pain, experience, and reflection. Foundling is an emotionally intelligent fantasy that respects its readers, offering a story that is as reflective as it is powerful.
December 13, 2025
Foundling by Trevor Watts is a powerful, slow burning epic fantasy that places its emotional weight squarely on identity, survival, and destiny. From the moment Kyre is discovered wounded, wordless, and stripped of memory,the story feels raw and intimate. He is not introduced as a hero, but as a broken figure forced to react with violence simply to stay alive. That choice gives the novel an immediate sense of honesty and gravity.
What makes the book truly compelling is how Kyre is used by those around him. Soldiers, secret sisterhoods, and rulers all see potential in him, but rarely humanity. As he heals and grows stronger, the reader watches him struggle with a deeper question whether he exists as a weapon or as a man with a purpose of his own. The political intrigue unfolds patiently, and when the larger forces of the realm begin to collapse, Kyre’s personal awakening gives the story its emotional punch. Foundling is epic fantasy that values meaning over spectacle and it stays with you.
What makes the book truly compelling is how Kyre is used by those around him. Soldiers, secret sisterhoods, and rulers all see potential in him, but rarely humanity. As he heals and grows stronger, the reader watches him struggle with a deeper question whether he exists as a weapon or as a man with a purpose of his own. The political intrigue unfolds patiently, and when the larger forces of the realm begin to collapse, Kyre’s personal awakening gives the story its emotional punch. Foundling is epic fantasy that values meaning over spectacle and it stays with you.
December 13, 2025
Foundling stands out as an epic fantasy that understands restraint. Trevor Watts allows the story to breathe, trusting the reader to engage with its emotional and moral complexities. Kyre is introduced not as a hero, but as a survivor, and that distinction shapes the entire narrative.
Kyre’s forced participation in violence is never framed as glory. Instead, it is portrayed as necessity, stripping away romantic notions of strength. As he transitions from captive to asset, and eventually to enforcer, the emotional cost of his survival becomes increasingly apparent. Watts handles this progression with care, never rushing Kyre’s internal growth.
The realm itself feels alive, shaped by power struggles that are both subtle and dangerous. The sisterhood’s influence, the military’s authority, and the Realm Lord’s ambition intersect in ways that feel realistic and tense. As these forces begin to unravel, Kyre’s own search for meaning gains urgency. Foundling is a novel that rewards attention and patience, offering a deeply human story wrapped in the scope of epic fantasy.
Kyre’s forced participation in violence is never framed as glory. Instead, it is portrayed as necessity, stripping away romantic notions of strength. As he transitions from captive to asset, and eventually to enforcer, the emotional cost of his survival becomes increasingly apparent. Watts handles this progression with care, never rushing Kyre’s internal growth.
The realm itself feels alive, shaped by power struggles that are both subtle and dangerous. The sisterhood’s influence, the military’s authority, and the Realm Lord’s ambition intersect in ways that feel realistic and tense. As these forces begin to unravel, Kyre’s own search for meaning gains urgency. Foundling is a novel that rewards attention and patience, offering a deeply human story wrapped in the scope of epic fantasy.
December 13, 2025
Trevor Watts’ Foundling is a meditation on identity disguised as epic fantasy. Kyre’s loss of memory and language strips him down to instinct, forcing both character and reader to confront what remains when identity is removed. This approach gives the novel an emotional immediacy that is rare in the genre.
Kyre’s physical recovery is mirrored by a growing internal awareness, but the two are never perfectly aligned. As his skills sharpen, so does the world’s desire to use him. Watts presents this tension with subtlety, allowing moments of quiet reflection to carry as much weight as scenes of action.
The political structure of the Lordlands Realm is complex without being inaccessible. Competing interests clash gradually, and when the cracks begin to show, the resulting upheaval feels grounded in character choices rather than plot convenience. Kyre’s emerging sense of destiny feels earned, shaped by experience rather than prophecy. Foundling is an emotionally rich novel that explores what it means to become someone in a world that sees you as something.
Kyre’s physical recovery is mirrored by a growing internal awareness, but the two are never perfectly aligned. As his skills sharpen, so does the world’s desire to use him. Watts presents this tension with subtlety, allowing moments of quiet reflection to carry as much weight as scenes of action.
The political structure of the Lordlands Realm is complex without being inaccessible. Competing interests clash gradually, and when the cracks begin to show, the resulting upheaval feels grounded in character choices rather than plot convenience. Kyre’s emerging sense of destiny feels earned, shaped by experience rather than prophecy. Foundling is an emotionally rich novel that explores what it means to become someone in a world that sees you as something.
December 10, 2025
I just finished Foundling by Trevor Watts, and I have to say, it left a strong impression on me. From the moment Kyre is discovered in that swamp, injured and lost, you’re drawn into his story. You feel his confusion, his pain, and his raw power as he struggles to survive in a world that seems determined to use him.
Watts does an incredible job blending epic battles with the intimate struggles of his characters. Kyre’s journey from nameless stranger to the fierce enforcer for the sisterhood is both thrilling and emotional. The political schemes, the sisterhood’s intrigues, and the looming realm wide events make the world feel alive and dangerous.
What I loved most is how the story makes you think about purpose and destiny. Kyre isn’t just a fighter, he’s someone discovering who he really is amidst chaos. It’s a gripping, immersive read that keeps you turning the pages and thinking about the Lordlands long after finishing.
Watts does an incredible job blending epic battles with the intimate struggles of his characters. Kyre’s journey from nameless stranger to the fierce enforcer for the sisterhood is both thrilling and emotional. The political schemes, the sisterhood’s intrigues, and the looming realm wide events make the world feel alive and dangerous.
What I loved most is how the story makes you think about purpose and destiny. Kyre isn’t just a fighter, he’s someone discovering who he really is amidst chaos. It’s a gripping, immersive read that keeps you turning the pages and thinking about the Lordlands long after finishing.
December 13, 2025
Foundling by Trevor Watts is an epic fantasy that feels both ancient and deeply personal. From the moment Kyre is discovered broken, nameless, and unable to communicate,the story draws you into his isolation and pain. He is not welcomed into the world, he is seized by it. The early scenes of survival and violence are intense, not because they glorify brutality, but because they show a man fighting simply to exist.
What gives the novel its emotional strength is Kyre’s gradual inner awakening. As soldiers, secret sisterhoods, and rulers attempt to use him for their own ends, the reader feels the weight of his loss of agency. His physical recovery contrasts sharply with his uncertainty about identity and purpose. Trevor Watts allows this transformation to unfold slowly, giving the story a sense of realism and emotional honesty. When the wider realm begins to fracture, Kyre’s journey feels inseparable from the fate of the world itself.
What gives the novel its emotional strength is Kyre’s gradual inner awakening. As soldiers, secret sisterhoods, and rulers attempt to use him for their own ends, the reader feels the weight of his loss of agency. His physical recovery contrasts sharply with his uncertainty about identity and purpose. Trevor Watts allows this transformation to unfold slowly, giving the story a sense of realism and emotional honesty. When the wider realm begins to fracture, Kyre’s journey feels inseparable from the fate of the world itself.
December 10, 2025
Foundling hit me harder than I expected. What starts as a brutal, disorienting plunge into Kyre’s world slowly turns into something surprisingly intimate and haunting. Watching a man with no past claw his way through violence, manipulation, and uncertainty.only to begin sensing a destiny bigger than anyone around him realises,felt both tragic and exhilarating.
The atmosphere is thick with tension, political scheming, and this quiet undercurrent of longing. Kyre’s struggle to understand who he is becomes strangely personal,you can feel his confusion, his anger, and those rare flickers of hope. And when the world around him begins to crack open, it feels earned raw, messy, and powerful.
It’s a gritty, emotional twist on Arthurian fantasy that left me thinking long after I closed the book. Short, sharp, and deeply human.
The atmosphere is thick with tension, political scheming, and this quiet undercurrent of longing. Kyre’s struggle to understand who he is becomes strangely personal,you can feel his confusion, his anger, and those rare flickers of hope. And when the world around him begins to crack open, it feels earned raw, messy, and powerful.
It’s a gritty, emotional twist on Arthurian fantasy that left me thinking long after I closed the book. Short, sharp, and deeply human.
December 13, 2025
Trevor Watts’ Foundling reads like an old legend told with modern emotional depth. Kyre’s journey begins in pain and confusion, and the world he is thrown into is unforgiving. His battles are brutal, but never glamorous; they feel necessary, almost tragic, as if each fight takes something from him even as it proves his strength.
The novel shines in its exploration of control and identity. Kyre is shaped by the expectations and schemes of powerful factions, yet beneath that pressure, a quiet sense of destiny begins to surface. The political tension, secret alliances, and looming realm.wide consequences are handled with restraint, allowing the emotional core to remain front and center. By the end, Foundling feels less like a story about conquest and more like one about becoming about finding meaning in a world determined to define you. It’s thoughtful, intense, and deeply human.
The novel shines in its exploration of control and identity. Kyre is shaped by the expectations and schemes of powerful factions, yet beneath that pressure, a quiet sense of destiny begins to surface. The political tension, secret alliances, and looming realm.wide consequences are handled with restraint, allowing the emotional core to remain front and center. By the end, Foundling feels less like a story about conquest and more like one about becoming about finding meaning in a world determined to define you. It’s thoughtful, intense, and deeply human.
December 13, 2025
Trevor Watts’ Foundling is a thoughtful and immersive Arthurian inspired fantasy that explores what it means to become human in a world built on power and control. Kyre’s story begins in confusion and suffering, and that vulnerability never fully disappears, even as he grows stronger. His forced role as fighter, trainer, and enforcer is unsettling, and the novel never lets the reader forget the cost of that transformation.
The political tension between the Sisterhood, the army, and the Realm Lord adds depth without overshadowing the emotional core. Watts excels at quiet moments,Kyre’s unspoken questions about destiny, belonging, and choice linger long after the action ends. By the conclusion, Foundling feels less like a traditional tale of conquest and more like a story of awakening. It is epic in scope, restrained in style, and deeply human at heart.
The political tension between the Sisterhood, the army, and the Realm Lord adds depth without overshadowing the emotional core. Watts excels at quiet moments,Kyre’s unspoken questions about destiny, belonging, and choice linger long after the action ends. By the conclusion, Foundling feels less like a traditional tale of conquest and more like a story of awakening. It is epic in scope, restrained in style, and deeply human at heart.
December 10, 2025
Kyre’s story is brutal, raw, and unforgettable. From the moment he is discovered, injured and voiceless, thrust into battles he doesn’t understand, you feel every pang of fear, every surge of strength, and every flicker of self discovery. The world around him filled with scheming commanders, secretive sisterhoods, and aristocrats learning to fight is vibrant, dangerous, and alive, yet it is Kyre’s inner journey that carries the weight of the story. He grows from a bewildered survivor into a force of nature, shaping and being shaped by the Realm, all while searching for meaning in a life that began without one. This is fantasy that doesn’t shy away from pain, but balances it with moments of hope, reflection, and breathtaking revelation.
December 11, 2025
Foundling is an intense dive into Arthurian,inspired fantasy, crafted with a depth and seriousness that immediately pulls the reader in. Trevor Watts builds a world that feels ancient, harsh, and alive with political tension. Kyre’s journey from injured, memory less stranger to a fearsome force shaping the fate of the Realm unfolds with a visceral realism that makes the stakes feel massive.
What stands out most is the balance between brutality and introspection. Kyre’s battles are fierce, but his quiet search for identity gives the story its emotional weight. A gripping, layered epic for fans of mature fantasy.
What stands out most is the balance between brutality and introspection. Kyre’s battles are fierce, but his quiet search for identity gives the story its emotional weight. A gripping, layered epic for fans of mature fantasy.
December 11, 2025
This novel surprised me with its emotional complexity. Kyre starts as a mystery violent, wounded, and unknown even to himself,but his evolution is handled with real nuance. The political and military factions surrounding him add constant tension, with the Sisterhood in particular bringing a unique, morally gray dynamic to the story.
The world building feels grounded, almost historical, and the plot unfolds with slow burn intensity. For readers who enjoy character driven fantasy with gritty realism and high stakes, Foundling delivers a compelling and thought provoking experience.
The world building feels grounded, almost historical, and the plot unfolds with slow burn intensity. For readers who enjoy character driven fantasy with gritty realism and high stakes, Foundling delivers a compelling and thought provoking experience.
December 11, 2025
Trevor Watts has created a fantasy world that feels both mythic and dangerous. From the moment Kyre is dragged from the swamp, the story radiates tension. The arena sequences are vividly rendered, and the political schemes of the Sisterhood and Realm Lord add layers of intrigue that keep the plot unpredictable.
But it’s Kyre’s gradual awakening physical, mental, and existential that makes Foundling stand out. His search for identity and purpose elevates this beyond a standard action tale. This is epic fantasy with heart, grit, and genuine thematic depth.
But it’s Kyre’s gradual awakening physical, mental, and existential that makes Foundling stand out. His search for identity and purpose elevates this beyond a standard action tale. This is epic fantasy with heart, grit, and genuine thematic depth.
December 12, 2025
Foundling is a masterclass in epic fantasy storytelling. Watts crafts a world that is vast, dangerous, and vividly alive, yet the story’s true power lies in Kyre’s journey from a lost, mysterious stranger to a figure of purpose and strength. I felt his pain, confusion, and triumph as if it were my own, making every battle, betrayal, and revelation resonate deeply. The interplay of politics, magic, and personal growth elevates this tale beyond mere adventure.this is a story that touches the heart while thrilling the imagination.
December 19, 2023
I chose this book because i really love portal related storylines. I really didnt enjoy this. I enjoy action as much as the next person but this goes into stupid territory.One man taking on virtually a whole army. fighting every second is a bit unrealistic. plus the local language had no translation.
March 13, 2024
This story wasn’t as entertaining as I expected. The first few chapters were a bit confusing and puzzling. It was not very engaging.
June 19, 2024
A very different, but interesting take on the "gladiator trope". This book can boast of using many fantasy tropes such as, amnesia with the main character, pit fighter, found family. But, this isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as it's done right. Now this book may have felt a little too YA for my taste, and I wish there was a bit more character development throughout, but it was still a fast paced, action packed adventure. Plus, yes, there are dinosaurs!
While not my usual jam, I can see fans of YA fantasy/sci-fi enjoying this. I'll give a 3.5-5:)
While not my usual jam, I can see fans of YA fantasy/sci-fi enjoying this. I'll give a 3.5-5:)
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