A sweeping, soul-stirring tale of love forged in a brutal world.
A warrior hardened by violence discovers that love may demand a different kind of courage in Exley’s atmospheric fantasy novella. Farguhar, heir to a ruthless house, is trained from boyhood for the Hunt and the battlefield, but his bond with Amya offers a refuge from brutality. Years later, war, separation, and the mysterious winged Feoni force him to reconsider what strength—and guardianship—truly mean.
Exley builds the story around the contrast between Farguhar’s formidable exterior and reflective nature. Farguhar’s “soul-cry” runs through the story, tying him to Amya from their first meeting. Her warmth and playful spirit stand in sharp contrast to the violence of his world. The Hunt, the walled City, and the winged Feoni give the novella its strongest touches of fantasy and mystery. Though Farguhar’s introspection occasionally slows the pace, the emotional stakes remain strong. Exley ultimately turns a familiar warrior story into something more tender: a tale of a man who discovers that protecting what he loves may take more courage than fighting for glory. Romantic-fantasy fans will find plenty of heart, danger, and longing here.
***
Pub date July 4, 2024
ISBN 978-1954448063
Print length 112 pages
Price $9.99 Paperback, $6.50 Kindle edition
