In Kramer’s YA fantasy novel, two lifelong friends embark on an epic quest that forces them to confront their destinies.
“Fulgar Geth could heal with his fingertips,” reveals the narrator in the opening line of this prequel to the Heroes of Time Legends series. Eight-year-old Fulgar has a power that he doesn’t fully understand. Because he can heal injuries with a touch, and also manipulate magnetism to affect metal, his best friend, Binny, says that he’s cursed, but “in a good way”—the result of a mage using magic to save Fulgar when he was born. Nothing in Fulgar’s life of poverty has convinced him that he’s fated for greater things, and by the age of 17, he’s become a thief who, along with Binny, is living on the streets. Binny, meanwhile, is preoccupied with a talisman that he took from his uncle’s place, which could lead him and Fulgar to a fabled shrine of ancient power. They set out on their journey, but Fulgar, who’s skeptical, is just along for the ride as Binny does “What he does best: mischief.” When they eventually find themselves on the opposite sides of a great power, it puts the limits of their friendship and faith to the test. As the story goes on, the concept of healing comes have multiple meanings, as Fulgar must not only heal physical traumas, but also emotional and spiritual ones. It’s a lot for a YA fantasy tale to shoulder, but Kramer has created an exciting, swashbuckling world for his characters to navigate. Throughout, the dialogue keeps the action grounded: “Don’t lose the forest for the trees, mate,” says Binny to Fulgar at one point. The sword-fighting sequences boast elegant choreography that leaps right off the page. The story takes on a more solemn tone as Fulgar and Binny grapple with their destinies, but for lovers of magic and feel-good adventure stories, this prequel offers a welcoming world for them to explore.
A heist, a talisman, a shrine, and an abundance of faith lead to greatness in this consistently engaging action-adventure tale.