GLYNSHADOW

by Steve Hansen

“I know, son, I know,” Edmund said. “It’s easier to tell people to trust their signs when they’re not your son. When they’re not …” he could not say it.“The Destroyer. I am the Destroyer,” Saul said firmly, not with the voice of a 14 year old son, but with a voice driven by fearsome power. He held his father’s arm and met his gaze with intensity. “I will destroy the threat to our home.” In an instant Saul had changed. The boy was gone.Like every teenager in the Glyn, Saul had been eager to see his sign – until he saw it. Saul is the Destroyer, the first in over a thousand years. He didn’t want this. No one would want this. He must learn to control the Destroyer power to save Glynshadow, the ancient forest home of his people. If he can’t, he’ll share the fate of Destroyers of the he will go mad and destroy his home, killing those he loves, and himself. He’d rather go back to just being a kid, living in the forest with his brother and father. But those days are over.Quiet, reserved Meleena – a girl Saul has known his entire life – is Destroyer-Healer, a sign never before seen in the Glyn. Only she can help him survive and fulfill his destiny. The two of them grow closer, each of them barely surviving Saul’s struggle to control his power. Saul is badly disfigured in a rage-induced accident. Would Meleena still care for him? Could she even stand to look at him? Meleena’s role, though, goes beyond helping Saul. She will be faced with a decision, and her choice to show compassion to an enemy could doom them – or save them.Raging, maniacal Queen Myrineth shares a distant past with Glynshadow, and she covets the ancient forest and its power. What she doesn’t know is that a darker, older being – one with whom she is very familiar – wants Glynshadow, and more. Much more.With the help of his friends, family, and the fabled warriors of Glynshadow, Saul must decide between life and death, love and loss, then deal with the consequences.

364 pages, Paperback

Published November 11, 2018

About the author

Steve loves working with Donna to create fun children’s books. He loves a good laugh, especially when it helps reinforce a positive message. Steve finds that thinking like a kid is way easier (and more fun) than thinking like an adult!

Steve has also written Glynshadow, his first fantasy novel. He enjoys reading and writing fantasy, and his fantasy writing is geared toward young adults and full-grown adults alike.

Reviews

[Sarah Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this book three and a half stars.
Some things I really liked about this book, others did not impress me. Good news first:
I loved the world. The idea of a symbiotic relationship between a sentient forrest and its residents is outstanding and very creatively done.
I really liked the blooms with special powers.
I really liked most of the characters. I liked how the author described the family relationships. I thought the villains sidekicks were especially interesting characters. Which brings us to the bad news:
I thought the villains were the weakest characters in the book. They seemed very shallow in their actions and motivations. On the brighter side, one gets much more interesting right near the end of the book. That said, you can still have a good story even with a weak villain...look at Star Wars.

[Kelly Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had so many layers! It kept both my attention and my 8 year old son’s attention. A rich storyline and lots of action.

[Sara Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glynshadow was one of the best books I’ve read all year! The story was unique and magical and made it hard for me to imagine this was a debut novel.

The world of Glynshadow is filled with magic. Teenagers come of age in their community when they receive their signs. The book begins with Saul, Luther, and Gaylen, three best friends who are fiercely loyal to their home and each other and are each waiting anxiously to see which signs they are given. Saul receives the sign of the Destroyer, a sign that is rare and arises out of dire need in the community. And while it has often led to an early death of the one bearing it, the mission of the Destroyer is not to cause chaotic destruction, but to vanquish the evil that threatens the community. If only the powers that came with the task were easier to control. Other signs include that of Great Protector, Healer, Defender, and Glyn Warrior, as well as other, less common, signs. And while it seems like we stepped in the middle of a story, back stories are filled as needed and it is easy for readers to find their way through the forest.

Beyond the Glynshadow forest is the Inland Empire, where no magic exists. Instead, the region is ruled by a vain Emperor who wishes to take by force the “magic” of Glynshadow, without realizing what the true magic is. His army would be no match for the Glyn warriors, except for the assistance of Queen Myrineth, the self-proclaimed Queen of the World, and her strange powers. There is also an ancient magician of sorts, who has been killed many times and never seems to stay dead. The villains of the story are fascinating, particularly as their back stories and motivations are revealed. Everyone is interconnected, often in surprising ways. The evil forces hold great power and fighting them requires great sacrifice and ever increasing costs, until they seems nearly impossible to eradicate.

And yet, the companions stay true. Hope remains. And the people of the Glyn continue to trust each other and trust their signs. Surprises continue throughout the book as one thing may turn the tide of the battle in any direction and new signs and identities continue to emerge. While the book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, there is plenty of material for a sequel. I know that I am eagerly anticipating the next foray into this exciting, intriguing world of the Glyn.