A slick and well-paced dark fantasy novella setting the stage for new adventures in the familiar world of Eston’s The Conclave.
Feature image credit: S.C. Eston
S.C. Eston returns! Not only with a new work, but to the world of one of his previous works, The Conclave.
Lyna, a powerful elf, arrives in the once prosperous township of Tanasu, lost and alone. She seeks refuge at the local inn and begins to seek out the power that seems to be calling to her. Eventually, she identifies a darkness aligned with a young boy orphan named Danor.
After meeting the young man, Lyna ventures into the nearby woods, where she is overwhelmed by a powerful feeling and encounters a ghostly vision. This encounter is then followed by an even more violent spectral occurrence — one which piques Lyna’s curiosity and increases her determination to unravel the mystery of the woods.
Soon after the events of the woods, Argon, a figure from Lyna’s past, appears in the village, along with others she hasn’t seen in an age. The reunion brings deep feelings and reminiscence; it also allows Lyna to discover truths she only suspected. As Lyna looks deeper into the mysteries of the region, a brutal confrontation occurs which will change Lyna forever.
This reviewer was introduced to the work of S.C. Eston in 2016, when I came to Glam Adelaide. I have been fortunate to have maintained a long-distance association with the Canada-based, self-funded author.
As with his previous works, Eston’s latest is a captivating, rollercoaster ride, filled with powerful characters (both good and malignant) and locations captured in language which allows the reader the ability to visualize the locations in almost cinematic detail.
With The Baneseeker Chronicles, Eston has provided readers, both new and returning, with a stunning piece of fantasy that will leave you urgently wanting answers to the unanswered questions that hang in the air at the conclusion of the work. For those, we will just need to wait. Thankfully, there’s a selection of earlier works to tide us over.
Reviewed by Glen Christie
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Amazon
Released: November 2024
RRP: Kindle Edition: $6.99 / Paperback: $25.29
