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Making it Believable
In Daughter of the Void, a young woman must learn to navigate her own magical abilities in a world divided by war and forgotten secrets. Where did the idea for this book come from?
As odd as it might sound, the concept for Daughter of the Void came from science and not fantasy. I have a secret love of astronomy and theoretical physics, and I’ve always been fascinated by the concepts of dark matter and antimatter. I wanted to create a magic system that captured the mystery of our world’s unseen particles in a unique framework. In Daughter of the Void, you get to experience magic as a substance only visible to those with a gift for it, and you get to witness antimagic in the form of Raelyn’s power. While my magic system doesn’t follow the same rules as dark matter and antimatter, those concepts were my inspiration.
Who was the inspiration for Raelyn’s traits and dialogue?
I put a little bit of myself into all my characters, and Raelyn got more of me than I care to admit. Her quiet, contemplative approach to life mirrors my own. Neither of us is going to be the belle of the ball or the social butterfly. I also gave her my love of nature and solitude, and her little bit of sass is mine, too. As for her stubbornness, kindness, and commitment to seeing the best in people—those were traits of my grandmother, to whom the book is dedicated.
How did you balance magic and its use throughout the story to keep it believable?
This was an important sticking point for me. I think it’s easy for magic to become overpowered in any world. When a magic system doesn’t have regulation, it makes readers wonder why the characters aren’t just blasting their way to the end goal. To keep Daughter of the Void’s magic system realistic, I limited who could use it and made it extremely time-consuming and difficult to master. Only the most talented and dedicated mages could become truly powerful, and even then, they could only specialize in one or two types of magic due to its complexity. Of course, the ultimate balancing agents are wardens, such as Raelyn.
Can we get a peek inside the next book in this trilogy? Where will it take readers?
I would love to share a sneak peek! I am so excited for book two; it has been so fun to write. In this next installment, you’re going to spend time on The Grey Isle, where you’ll get to know the Holy Knights, Saints, and another “special” cat named Alphesior. Now that the world knows Raelyn is a warden, her assumed destiny starts to look more and more inescapable, and she accepts an offer of formal training as forces around the world seek to claim her power. In the mix, we’ve got smugglers, traitors, magic battles, a murder mystery, a conspiracy, necromancy, essence magic, and Laris doing his best to protect Raelyn despite some big roadblocks. Be prepared for an unexpected alliance at the end of it all.
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In a world where tendrils of magic envelop all things, Raelyn discovers she’s one of the last of her kind: a warden. As a conduit of the gods capable of creating holes in the fabric of magic, she is a daughter of the void. Forced to flee as her city burns and her best friend is kidnapped, she finds herself in an unexpected partnership with Laris, a mage whose abrasive personality hides a desire to keep her safe. The pair are chased deep into the Vast, a treacherous mountain range filled with hostile feyfolk, where Raelyn grows ever closer to her companion and learns the consequences of being directly connected to the gods.
Guided by the spirit of the last Holy King and unknowingly hunted by Saraht, an enemy warden with a personal vendetta of her own, Raelyn and Laris embark on a journey to seek answers. Along the way they must confront the growing threat of war and the knowledge of Raelyn’s true purpose: a devastating power she will need to embrace to defeat Saraht, but one that will alter her fate forever.
Daughter of the Void
H.R. Cole’s Daughter of the Void, the first book in the Chains of Fate trilogy, follows Raelyn, a young woman caught between duty and destiny in a divided world haunted by magic, war, and forgotten secrets. The story begins with a forbidden excursion that sets the tone for an epic unraveling of personal identity, looming war, and hidden powers. As political alliances form and dangerous truths bubble to the surface, Raelyn must navigate complex relationships and a growing sense of her own magical abilities, all while being tethered to a prophecy and a mysterious past that could remake the world.
I was completely pulled into this world. The writing is smooth, but not overly polished. H.R. Cole has a talent for atmosphere. You feel the chill of ancient forests, the oppressive silence of stone castles, and the heat of tension between characters who know more than they let on. Raelyn as a protagonist isn’t perfect, and that’s what makes her work. She’s sharp but hesitant, brave but emotionally guarded. The relationships, especially between Raelyn and Ellisand, felt raw and real. And Laris—well, he’s complicated in all the best and worst ways. Their interactions were electric, uncomfortable, and often intense, and I honestly didn’t know how I wanted things to turn out. That kind of uncertainty kept me turning the pages, though.
But it’s not all sunshine and sword fights. A few scenes in the middle of the book lingered longer than needed I think. And while the world-building is strong, there are many moving parts—factions, magical laws, military structures—and some of it felt like it was waiting for the next book to really pay off. That said, there’s no shortage of intrigue. Secrets hang over every chapter like storm clouds. I found myself rereading certain passages just to catch all the foreshadowing. And the way Cole threads emotional stakes through the political drama? Honestly, it got me more than once.
In the end, Daughter of the Void is a slow-burn fantasy adventure with a lot of heart and a sharp edge. It’s for readers who like complex women, moral gray zones, and stories that aren’t afraid to bruise their characters a little. If you enjoy the emotional tension of Kristin Cashore’s Graceling or the slow, layered world-building of The Queen’s Thief, this book will be perfect for you. I’m already hungry for book two.
Pages: 374 | ASIN : B0F8ZZ7JPB
A Unique Spin
Stolen Histories follows two best friends working to sabotage corrupt institutions who find themselves in a high-stakes heist involving dragons, haunted landscapes, and the looming power of the imperialist Empire. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The first thing I ask when I’m writing something is, ‘Would I enjoy reading this?’ All the situations my characters end up in—from the heists, dragons, and hauntings—are things I love reading about. My biggest inspirations are other stories, like Six of Crows or The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, along with looking at my characters and asking, ‘What kind of trouble can I get them into?’
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
My inspiration for the world of Avalon came a long time ago—I thought it would be interesting to have a world where magic is the norm, and not having magic is considered the old wives’ tale. A lot has come from that single idea. I wanted to create my own magic system and world setting while also not being so confusing that no one can follow what’s going on. This is how I ended up with Singers, Scribes, and the like. Initially, I thought of doing a D&D-inspired world, or bringing in gods/creatures that already exist in stories, but ended up discarding that for a unique spin of my own. Now, I have Nightbloods, Sun Eaters, and whatnot. There’s so much worldbuilding I’ve done that the first book doesn’t even touch, so I’m excited to continue the series!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Bigger themes like imperialism, colonialism, and rebellion were important to me since they will be explored throughout the whole series. But on a character level, themes like identity, grief, belonging, ambition, and family really bring the whole book forward. Each character has their own journey to go on, and I try to do that justice.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
This is the first book! Stolen Histories is the start of a six-book series, The Infinite Night Saga, and while I’m not sure when the second book will be finished, it is well on the way. I’m sure it will be done sometime next year, which is exciting for me to think about. What fans can expect is more heists, found family, and struggles against a power-hungry empire!
Author Links: GoodReads | Bluesky | Website | Amazon
A girl in over her head is after a stolen artifact, two master thieves are leading a crew to reclaim lost treasures, and their team is anything but ordinary-some of them shouldn’t even exist. With shaky loyalties, dangerous magic, and an empire tightening its grip, their plan is held together by luck and desperation. They might just pull it off… if the world-or they-don’t tear them apart first.
In this story about secrets, family, and good old-fashioned heists, a ruthless empire hoards stolen history, and a daring crew is reckless enough to take it back. But in a game where power is everything and disaster is inevitable, the difference between a successful job and a fatal mistake might come down to who’s willing to risk it all.
The Ancient Fire
The Ancient Fire is the first in the Triple Goddess series by Ellen Read. It’s a fantasy novel rooted in rich Celtic mythology and filled with lush imagery, suspenseful action, and themes of identity, legacy, and awakening power. The story follows Bree, a young woman raised in isolation with her aunt Áine, who discovers her divine lineage as the daughter of Brigid, the Triple Goddess. When an earthquake shakes their hidden world and the sacred fire she’s sworn to protect begins to change, Bree is thrust into a dangerous journey back to her homeland of Tír na nÓg. Alongside the brash warrior god Lu, Bree must come to terms with her powers, her grief, and the peril threatening her people.
I couldn’t put this one down. Read’s writing is poetic without being too flowery, and the pacing dances between quiet introspection and bursts of action. Bree is a character I wanted to root for—clever, curious, brave, and deeply human even as her godhood awakens. The dynamic between her and Lu had me grinning. There’s tension, banter, and just enough mystery to keep things spicy. What I loved most was how the magic felt sacred and elemental—more myth than wizardry, more essence than spectacle. And the fairies were delightful. The scene where Bree uses fire to chase off trolls? I actually cheered.
The lore, while fascinating, occasionally teetered on overwhelming. There’s a lot to absorb—names, places, histories—and at times I wished for a breather or a bit more grounding. Also, Lu’s macho swagger sometimes grated. I get that he’s a warrior god and all, but maybe chill. Thankfully, Bree holds her own and then some. Her transformation from cave-bound girl to rising goddess is powerful, and her grief for a mother she never knew is heartbreakingly real. Those emotional notes hit hard, and that’s what gave the book its heart.
The Ancient Fire lit something in me. It’s more than a fantasy, it’s about becoming who you were meant to be, even when you didn’t know you had it in you. I’d recommend this to anyone who loves myth-rich world-building, fierce heroines, and the spark of magic hiding in ancient stories. This book’s for the dreamers, the rebels, and those who believe stories shape the world.
Pages: 260 | ASIN : B0DTT2YFYN
The Lost Dragonrider of Lamar
The Lost Dragonrider of Lamar kicks off with a fiery bang—literally. The prologue plunges us into a mystical war zone where divine storms split the sky and dragonriders duel for god-touched power. The story follows two central characters: Tel Roan, a battle-hardened dragonrider with a golden dragon named Ingamar, and Lark, a mysterious young woman with no memory of her past, only a glowing pendant and an unshakable pull toward a storm. A Hyalite—an orb infused with godly power—is about to change both their destinies. With war looming between the Kingdoms of Lamar and Nordraven, and ancient magic bleeding into their world, the book layers classic fantasy tropes with a fresh, fast-paced twist.
This book had me in its grip from the opening page. The prologue was cinematic. That scene where he fights a massive blue-skinned orc for the Hyalite was epic. The tension is so thick you could cut it with Stormbreaker. Walker has a knack for writing action that feels intense but never overcomplicated—no confusing jargon, just pure adrenaline and magic.
What surprised me the most, though, was how much I loved Lark’s chapters. At first, she feels like the typical “mysterious girl with a magical trinket” trope—but she grows on you. Her connection to the storm and the dragon lore is told with this eerie, poetic pacing that contrasts perfectly with the more militaristic energy of Tel’s story. I loved the moment when she’s drawn toward the Everburning Forest and starts getting those weird flashes of memory, like the image of a man holding a box that pulses in time with her pendant. There’s a soft, haunting tone to her arc that feels like a dream slowly turning into a nightmare.
Some of the world-building was heavy at times—there’s a lot of information given through conversations about realms, magical politics, and the difference between Hyalites and Yogo Sapphires. I appreciate the depth, but it occasionally slowed the story. I wanted to get back to the drama—the betrayals, the aerial dragon fights, the strange glowing creatures in the woods. Still, even the slower bits added layers to the world that made the payoff richer.
The Lost Dragonrider of Lamar delivered on everything I want in a fantasy read—gutsy characters, high-stakes magic, and dragons that feel like more than just pets with wings. It’s bold, a little bloody, and absolutely bursting with heart. I’d recommend this book to fans of Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn or those who devoured Eragon and wished it had a bit more edge. This isn’t just a setup for a series—it’s a solid first strike. If you’ve got even the slightest itch for fire-breathing beasts and mystic prophecies, give this one a shot.
Pages: 486 | ASIN : B0F468WDC4
Paragons of the New Moon (Book 2 of The Last Battlefield for Light and Darkness)
Paragons of the New Moon is a sweeping cosmic fantasy filled with layered lore, celestial politics, and introspective heroes fighting not only monsters but the haunting echoes of their own pasts. This second book in The Last Battlefield for Light and Darkness saga follows Rayeen Beeta—a man brought back from the dead by otherworldly magic—as he’s sent on a mission by the enigmatic Overseer Shamooga to track down a mysterious boy named Kosinki, whose powers may very well rewrite the universe. What unfolds is a bold journey that dances between metaphysical philosophy, epic-scale action, and raw emotion, stretching from the dusty violet dunes of Amethyst Sands to the heart of cosmic archives and long-buried grief.
The opening chapters hooked me right away with their weird, wonderful energy. You get this totally surreal setting—Shamooga in a tower beyond physics, manipulating reality like origami. And then Rayeen’s dropped into a vision quest-style battle with his inner demons and literal monsters. His body is dead, his soul’s in his pocket, and he’s trying to hold onto his humanity through sheer force of will. North knows how to blend high-concept magic with gut-punch emotion, and that combo really shines here.
In the middle of the book, the pace kicks up a notch with Rayeen tracking Kosinki, clashing with pirates, and getting absolutely wrecked by the Black Lake and its Corrupted beasts. The fight scenes are wild—like, anime-level intense—but what I appreciated more was Rayeen’s frustration. He’s powerful, nearly godlike, but he’s constantly told “not yet,” “you’re not ready,” and you can feel his resentment simmer. It’s not just about power—it’s about emotional readiness, and man, that hits harder than any boss battle.
We finally learn about Shamooga’s own past—how he survived an apocalypse, got offered godhood, and became an Overseer almost against his will. These late chapters are steeped in lore, with cool reveals about the higher powers pulling the strings, and even a secret archive Shamooga keeps to remember people the universe has erased. The vibe gets almost melancholic toward the end. By the time Rayeen returns, frustrated and desperate to go home, there’s this shared, quiet pain between the two of them.
If you’re into Final Fantasy, Fullmetal Alchemist, or anything that blends big cosmic ideas with messy, soulful characters—you’ll dig this book. It’s poetic, intense, a little chaotic, and full of heart. There’s some deep stuff in here, and it helps to read slowly to catch all the meaning. But it’s worth it. North doesn’t spoon-feed. He lets you feel lost, like the characters. And that makes the victories—no matter how small—feel earned.
Pages: 299 | ASIN : B0F2SD32FK
Safe Space
Eastlanders’ Fall is a tale of ancient evil rising again, powerful cults seeking domination, and unlikely heroes trying to stop the world from crumbling—literally. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I drew inspiration from the real world and used my fantasy setting as a safe space for an unbiased reflection on current issues.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
In the 90s, I served in the Brazilian military. When cartel violence spiraled out of control, Rio’s governor requested federal troops, and my unit was one of those deployed to assist.
For several months, in between missions, to avoid dwelling in the violence and bleakness, my mind took off. Fantasy books and role-playing games came to the rescue, and the continent of Ananthia was born.
To be in a place where evil and injustice could be fought and defeated—unlike in the real world—was like a drug, so I never left. All the mind space I could spare went into world-building, and seventeen years later, with no plan or ambition, I began laying it down.
The RPG campaign setting I wrote had such an elaborate backstory that I was entreated to tell it all. Eastlanders’ Fall began taking form, and a decade—and eight countries—later, A Drying World trilogy was completed.
Ananthia was so deeply developed in my head that it needed no change to accommodate the story – it was the story.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Bias, hubris, and blind ambition—and how to beat them.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
Eastlanders’ Fall is the first book of a trilogy. In book 2 (Two Storms), the children of the protagonists, born at the end of the book, take the lead, assisting their whistleblower uncle who’s on to Darvis Talsdrums second phase plans but struggles for decades to prove it. In book 3, the heroes take the fight to the lich.
In the future trilogy, I take the reader to Central Ananthia – the region where the desertification started, now under the sand. It will be told in two parallel timelines: the present, featuring the surviving protagonists, and the past, telling the story of how it all began.
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The land of Ananthia is dying. Its once-prosperous heart has turned to sand, swallowing Empires and burying faiths. But a darker shadow looms—Darvis Talsdrum, a warlock whose cunning strengthens his demon lord’s grip on the continent.
Talented as he is reckless, veteran wizard Milendil’s mistakes could seal the fate of Ananthia, when bitterness bids him to tip the scales for tragedy.
Air ranger Solostamir never asked to be a hero. Burdened by a family rift and torn between two powerful women—Keera, the elven noblewoman who shares his past, and Lilyanna, a prodigy human archer whose fire reignites his hope—he walks a razor’s edge between love and duty.
When war drives them apart, Lilyanna’s fate becomes entwined with Soraya’s, a battle-hardened warrior whose growing bond defies expectation.
As ancient magic stirs and loyalties splinter, these fractured heroes must unite what’s left of Ananthia before darkness consumes it all. But love is as dangerous as war—and not every heart will survive the fire.
Eastlanders’ Fall is a sweeping epic of sacrifice, redemption, and love tested at the brink of ruin—perfect for fans of high fantasy with heart, grit, and consequences.
Sorcerer Seed
From the very first dusty, confused breath in a strange crater, Sorcerer of Almora Sorcerer Seed dives headfirst into a fantasy tale rooted in mystery, survival, and identity. We follow Maylore, Jendrin, and Airalee—three strangers who wake up in an alien world with no memory of who they are or how they got there. Their journey begins with danger, then spirals into deeper questions about who erased their pasts, why, and what purpose they now serve in the vivid world of Almora. As they traverse lava tubes, confront creepy glowing-eyed creatures, and navigate tense social structures in a mysterious village, they must rely on each other to survive and find their place.
This book hooked me hard from Chapter 1. Maylore blinking away dust while trying to figure out if he’d murdered someone is compelling character work. The tension is real and tight from the beginning. Then it just layers mystery on top of amnesia on top of survival horror. I appreciated how author Curt Sylvester didn’t throw everything at us all at once but slowly unwrapped the world through dialogue and small, believable discoveries. I mean, who doesn’t love a cave escape, shadowy politics, and wolves the size of a small car?
Sylvester keeps the writing tight and conversational. It feels natural, especially in the banter between Maylore and Jendrin. They’ve got this reluctant buddy energy—one’s calm and analytical, the other all “I-don’t-trust-nobody”—that just works. Airalee brings a refreshing edge. Her mistrust, her inner monologue, her rock-clutching paranoia—it made her relatable. And she’s fierce. But the real gem was the pacing. From wolves chasing them to navigating dark tunnels with burning fur and finding human bones in an abandoned camp, the story moves in waves. It builds, breathes, and then slams the door shut with tension again.
Some of the dialogue veers into on-the-nose territory, especially when characters recap things for each other that we just saw. And while the amnesia trope is cool at first, by the middle of the book, I was itching for more forward movement. But the mystery of why these people were wiped clean and dumped in this world is fascinating, and Sylvester doesn’t drag it out without payoff.
Sorcerer of Almora is a solid and immersive fantasy read with a great blend of mystery, survival drama, and slow-burn worldbuilding. If you’re into books that drop you in the middle of nowhere with no map and make you claw your way toward meaning—this is your book. It’s perfect for fans of classic fantasy with a modern vibe, especially if you enjoy character-driven stories with a hint of danger and a lot of heart.
Pages: 787 | ASIN : B0DR67TS4P
LITERARY TITAN 