Amanda Wright balances very dark elements and heavy themes of identity, loss, and suffering with wholesome romance and unexpected humor.
Lorehaven review, 2025

Darkfell

Armed with a cryptic map, a biscuit-loving tutor, and the brawn of his best friend, Thom Darkfell sets out to find the star daughter and lock the barrier to bind the dark realm of Zakar.
· January 2025 · for , , ,
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His is a life of books and peace…

Until a dying warrior’s touch ignites an ancient magic within his blood.

For years, Thom Darkfell has used his cartography skills to advise Lomair’s king of the country’s shifting borders. A valued academic, Thom is excluded from the military drafts until whispers of dark abominations and mass casualties reach the king’s ears. The resulting conscription thrusts Thom into Lomair’s losing army. A realist, Thom ignores the wild myths circling through the ranks-until a monster’s jaws snap through the folds of reality and crush a man before Thom’s eyes. With his dying breath, the Realm Walker passes an impossible task to Thom.

Hours later, the visions begin. The Creator, a deity Thom knows only from rituals spoken over meals and graves, appears to him while a girl with starlight in her blood calls from beyond the veil.

Armed with a cryptic map, a biscuit-loving tutor, and the brawn of his best friend, Thom sets out to find the star daughter and lock the barrier to bind the dark realm of Zakar.

If he fails, it will be the end of all.

Review of Amanda Wright’s Darkfell

· March 2025

Thom Darkfell would be perfectly happy making maps of the realm of Lomair. But with war approaching the capital city, he’s thrust out of his safe library to defend the forests and plains he’s only drawn on paper. An encounter with a terrifying beast and a dying warrior leaves Thom with strange abilities and visions of a beautiful young woman in another world. Unless Thom can become a Realm Walker and fulfill his destiny, his world and hers will be destroyed by a deathless enemy from a dark realm of monsters.

Darkfell draws a fantasy realm that feels like a darker version of Narnia, including half-human beings, talking bat-like creatures, and witty banter between brothers. Amanda Wright balances very dark elements and heavy themes of identity, loss, and suffering with wholesome romance and unexpected humor.

Best for: Teen and adult fans of Ted Dekker or readers who enjoy dark fantasy balanced with humor and gentle romance.

Discern: A short but stomach-turning scene of torture by forced cannibalism, fantasy violence, one main character is half-human and half-star.

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