Sunday, May 29, 2022

Spring Reading 2022 Heroes & Harbingers (Secret of Pantheons, Book One)



I finished this book in huge gulps, barely coming up for air. The premise of a world very much like ours, only with magic a part of everyday life, is one that many fantasy readers wish were true. Unlike in Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and similar series, these characters move within a society where the gifted and mundane alike accept magic and magical creatures. The fact that societal ills from our own world still exist (prejudice, lack of access to quality education, etc.) makes the setting more believable. The idea of magnet schools that specialize in magical education will probably have readers asking, "Where do I enter my name in the lottery?"

Along with the setting, the characters themselves earn reader sympathy. A sirin who is a harbinger of death and feels that her family is disappointed by her calling; a legendary warrior forced to be a teacher as a punishment; a young girl trying to get the best education possible to secure a better future for her family - they all have burdens to carry and need each other, whether they will admit it or not. The fact that this world is ruled by the Council of Pantheons, so that deities and mythic figures from many different cultures can interact, will be a huge draw to readers who enjoy stories that mix in folklore and traditional characters from around the world.

The motivations of the characters are complex. The action is fast-paced. And there is the possibility of sequels. All excellent reasons to read it now, and then eagerly wait for a follow-up adventure. Publication date set for June 11, 2022 , so you don't have long to wait.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 

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