Shadowbane: Age of Aelfborn

During a time of strife, Megildur must traverse Aerynth to rescue his sister and fulfill a destiny ordained by the All-Father. Finding Shadowbane, the mighty but cursed sword, will be challenging enough for this young Aelfborn. In a world torn apart by treachery and conflict, it is every being, or creature, for themselves.

This novel combines qualities from Lord of the Rings© and Greek mythology, with a few twists on some new races. This is the first novel to reveal the lore behind the epic player versus player game, Shadowbane.

Aerynth exists within a shroud of betrayal and deceit for over 100 years. In this realm of chaos, Megildur finds help from an unlikely pair…a sneaky Shade and a nomadic Nephilim. Can this unique trio bring peace and order to Aerynth, or fall prey to the Terror of Terrors?

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Editorial Review

In Shadowbane: Age of Aelfborn by Paul Francois, young Megildur must traverse Aerynth, a world in constant turmoil, to rescue his sister and fulfill a destiny ordained by the All-Father. He must find the mighty but cursed sword, Shadowbane, and lead everyone to unity and peace. The story premise is a familiar concept in the fantasy genre - you have a come-of-age protagonist chosen to find a mystical item and embark on a perilous quest. That said, a skilled storyteller can put a fresh spin on a classic theme, and Paul Francois successfully did that. 

There are evident inspirations from other well-known fantasy fictions for its world-building, but there are also unique qualities to keep readers interested. In terms of characterization, protagonist Megildur will not disappoint you. As an Aelfborn, or half Human and half Elf, Megildur already experiences hardship due to his race. He's easy to root for and has traits that we would want in a lead character or a hero.

The narrative and the dialogue are clear cut. The plot is well-structured, even though I feel that some parts can be more polished in terms of pacing. On the other hand, Shadowbane: Age of Aelfborn is overall a solid and enjoyable read, ticking all the necessary prerequisite of a fantasy novel. Francois has an interesting story to tell, and no doubt he has more to share with readers. He's another worthy writer in this genre and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.

Review Rating: 4 stars.
Reviewed By Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite