SHORN

The first installment in Davila’s Sky Seekers saga is a grand-scale fantasy that chronicles the journeys of two people desperately attempting to save their beloved nation from those seeking to destroy it.

Jhared Denaban is a “Shorn,” a member of a reviled group of people born with wings who had his sheared off when he was a baby. He’s just passed a grueling and controversial test to become a patrolman in Avelos’ Forest Guard. Meanwhile, Nemiah, the High Priestess of Avelos who oversaw Jhared’s initiation, suddenly finds herself an outsider in a country besieged by looming crises, including enemy troops at the border, conspirators within the government, and a strange, killing wind that’s wiping out entire towns. With Avelos on the verge of ruin, Jhared and Nemiah set out on separate quests to try to change the future of their country. Fantasy fans will be impressed by Davila’s deep characterization of the two main players; the focus on their internal development, in particular—detailing their motivations and fears as well as their backstories—makes them emotionally relatable and endearing. The attention to worldbuilding is also a strength, as many scenes come alive on the page through detailed descriptions, and multiple layers of political and social intrigue, as in the portrayal of the dynamics between various leaders, add remarkable depth. The main flaw of this narrative, however, is its lack of immediacy; its pace is sluggish for the most part, and it doesn’t pick up speed until the concluding chapters. Also, the dearth of significant action, especially in the first half, will frustrate many readers.

Excellent worldbuilding and character development laid low by lethargic pacing.