A thrilling plunge into a world of swords, secrets, and second sight.
Exley launches a two-part fantasy adventure that carries a nobleman’s daughter from the sheltered halls of Great Hall into a world of danger and mystery. In Evanswood, Part 1, Quenleah Paladin’s pursuit of a runaway friend leads to the forest refuge of the legendary Black Pirate, where demanding trials and faces she recognizes from inexplicable dreams await. Part 2 returns Quenleah to an increasingly volatile Pithany, as her Sight strengthens and a perilous assignment draws her into a much larger contest for the country’s future.
Exley has an appetite for the pleasures of traditional epic fantasy, and the series is at its liveliest when immersing readers in the textures of its world. Forest journeys, sword bouts, festivals, camps, clandestine excursions, and hard-ridden missions make Pithany feel satisfyingly lived-in. Evanswood itself proves the standout creation—part sanctuary, part proving ground, and part riddle, with enough personality to become nearly a character in its own right.
The first volume unfolds as an immersive adventure of initiation. Quenleah must learn the rhythms and codes of an unfamiliar community, and Exley makes lively use of the contrast between an aristocrat accustomed to the Great Hall and the rough company of seasoned fighters. The training sequences are plentiful, but their competitive energy, banter, and occasional danger give them an appealing sense of camaraderie.
Mystery provides the connective tissue between installments. Dreams, unexplained recognitions, concealed histories, and curious coincidences accumulate without surrendering their significance too quickly. The second volume capitalizes on those lingering questions, shifting into a faster and broader narrative as private mysteries acquire consequences beyond Evanswood. The result gives the sequel the satisfying momentum of pieces beginning to lock into place.
Exley makes lively use of a sizable cast. Dansala commands attention whenever he appears, while Drake, Sentune, and the wider company keep Quenleah’s adventures from becoming a solitary hero’s journey. Humor and moments of warmth provide welcome breathing room between confrontations. Readers willing to settle into Exley’s substantial canvas will find an adventure rich in atmosphere, intrigue, swordplay, and well-earned revelations.
***
Evanswood Part 1: book 1
ISBN 978-1734058093
Price $11.99 Paperback, $6.50 Kindle edition, $0.00 Kindle Unlimited
Evanswood Part 2: book 2
ISBN 978-1954448018
Price $11.99 Paperback, $6.50 Kindle edition, $0.00 Kindle Unlimited
Series price $13.00 Kindle edition
