On the enchanted island of Malsdon, decades of peace are shattered when a malevolent force from the past returns, threatening to plunge the land into chaos. Xavier Leo, a young knight with unwavering loyalty to his homeland, is thrust into a perilous journey alongside his father, friends, and fellow knights. As they navigate treacherous betrayals and shifting landscapes, from emerald-green forests to unforgiving wastelands, Xavier and his comrades uncover long-buried secrets about their island's history and the true nature of their enemy.
Guided by a mysterious and magical beast and armed only with their courage and wits, the knights face deadly creatures, unstable alliances, and their own inner demons. Amidst the turmoil, Xavier must confront his destiny: to rise as a leader and embrace the path laid before him—or risk the destruction of all he holds dear.
As forces of darkness close in, the fate of Malsdon hangs in the balance. The knights must confront their deepest fears and make unimaginable sacrifices. Will Xavier’s indomitable spirit be enough to turn the tide, or will Malsdon fall into shadow forever?
Knights of Malsdon is a tale of courage, camaraderie, and the enduring power of hope in the face of overwhelming darkness.
On the enchanted island of Malsdon, decades of peace are shattered when a malevolent force from the past returns, threatening to plunge the land into chaos. Xavier Leo, a young knight with unwavering loyalty to his homeland, is thrust into a perilous journey alongside his father, friends, and fellow knights. As they navigate treacherous betrayals and shifting landscapes, from emerald-green forests to unforgiving wastelands, Xavier and his comrades uncover long-buried secrets about their island's history and the true nature of their enemy.
Guided by a mysterious and magical beast and armed only with their courage and wits, the knights face deadly creatures, unstable alliances, and their own inner demons. Amidst the turmoil, Xavier must confront his destiny: to rise as a leader and embrace the path laid before him—or risk the destruction of all he holds dear.
As forces of darkness close in, the fate of Malsdon hangs in the balance. The knights must confront their deepest fears and make unimaginable sacrifices. Will Xavier’s indomitable spirit be enough to turn the tide, or will Malsdon fall into shadow forever?
Knights of Malsdon is a tale of courage, camaraderie, and the enduring power of hope in the face of overwhelming darkness.
It was summer on the island of Malsdon, and the Emerald Meadows were in full blossom; the local flora and fauna teemed with life. Around midday, Xavier began to stir from his bed. With a sigh and a lazy yawn, he mumbled to himself, “No more late nights.”
Slowly, he climbed out of bed and stumbled towards his bedroom window. “What a view! I love this place,” he said as he observed the vast green meadows in the distance, with the wind playing over the hill slopes.
A deep, thunderous roar interrupted his daydream. Xavier shifted his attention to the trail leading to the manor, where he witnessed his father, Lord Darius Leo, riding his gigas lion, storming down the path and into the courtyard of the manor.
“Xavier, why are you not out of bed and ready yet?” Darius asked, looking up at his son.
“Well, Father, I am out of bed, as you can see.”
“Don’t get cheeky with me, or I’ll tell Captain Artemis to give you extra days of training,” Darius replied with a playful smile on his face.
“All right, Father, I’ll get ready. I’m just tired from last night.”
“There’s a good lad. But, in all honesty, son, the king is on his way to meet with us, so be quick.” Darius jumped off Tiberius and patted him on the head. “Thanks for the help, old timer. You can go and rest in the fields.”
Tiberius nodded and walked off.
Xavier finished getting ready and descended the stairs towards the courtyard. He pushed open the large double oak front doors and spotted his father standing there, engrossed in conversation with Captain Artemis.
Captain Artemis turned with a sarcastic look. “Oh, Xavier, I heard you wish to have extra training days with me and the rest of the knights.”
“Well, if you’re not grumpy and moody, then I might,” Xavier teased.
“Are you ever going to stop being cheeky to your elders?” replied the captain.
Before Xavier could reply, the king’s horn sounded as they approached the manor. King Theo Lucius, along with four bodyguards and his daughter Princess Isabella, was making his way up the trail.
“We all know why Isabella is here,” said Artemis to Xavier, poking him in the side.
“Shut up, old man. She’s married now.”
“It’s never stopped her from taking a few trips here to the Emerald Meadows, if you know what I mean,” Artemis replied, winking at Xavier.
“Quiet, the both of you, before I knock both your heads together,” Darius said, “Artemis, you should know better, and you say nothing, Xavier.”
“Hope I’m not interrupting anything, Darius,” laughed the king.
“Nothing important, my lord, just two idiots—my son and the captain of the Knights of Leo—acting like children.”
The king dismounted his horse and looked at Darius. “What is this, a handshake?”
“My lord?” Darius replied.
The king sighed, knocking his hand aside, and pulled Darius in for a hug. “The two of us have been through many perils, and I see you as my brother and equal, so we embrace as brothers,” the king said as they hugged. “It’s good to see you again as well, Artemis. General Brock sends his regards.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Artemis replied.
Princess Isabella dismounted her horse and walked towards the group.
“Your Highness,” all three greeted her.
“Hello, Lord Darius, Captain Artemis,” she replied in a soft tone.
Xavier thought, Why didn’t she greet me? Is she shy or embarrassed? However, his train of thought was broken by his father’s deep voice.
“My king, I will lead you to my war room for us to discuss matters.”
“Very good, Darius, lead the way,” the king replied. “Oh, young Xavier, could you keep my daughter company?”
“Of course, my king.”
The king and his four bodyguards followed Darius and Artemis into the manor towards the war room, leaving Xavier and Isabella outside alone.
“Hello, my Xavier, I haven’t forgotten you,” she said with innocent eyes but a mischievous smile.
Xavier walked over to her and embraced her with a tight hug. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
*
The king, Darius, and Artemis gathered around the large oak table at the centre of the war room. The king’s joyful demeanour changed as he reached into his side bag, pulling out an oddly shaped arrowhead and placing it on the table. Darius looked at it in confusion, but Artemis appeared shocked. The king observed both of them.
“Artemis, you look like you’ve seen a ghost,” the king said in a concerned tone.
“I haven’t seen this type of arrowhead in decades. Only found on the Forgotten Lands north of the Iron Coast. It belongs to the barbarian tribes,” Artemis explained, his shock evident.
“Correct,” the king replied.
“How did you come by it?” Darius asked.
“Hera was doing her weekly scout along the coast and over Alice Island. Just before the Forgotten Lands, she returned injured with the arrowhead stuck in her talon,” the king explained.
“She was shot over Alice Island? That’s too close to the Iron Coast. On the other hand, how could someone shoot a gigas eagle? They fly at great heights,” Darius mumbled.
Before Darius could utter another word, Artemis whispered, “Magic.”
“Yes,” the king replied. “The war with the mages ended with many of their kind dead and buried. However, we never caught Matriarch Delilah, and the Patriarch Dax was injured fleeing Malsdon.”
“We have to do something,” Artemis urged.
“That is why he is here now, to see us,” Darius said to Artemis.
The room fell into silence, and then was broken by the king. “I have asked Sol Silverlight to forge armour and weapons resistant to magic for you, your son, and the Knights of Leo. I must ask you to go to Alice Island and investigate.”
“It will be done, my lord,” Darius replied.
“What about the Graw family?” Artemis asked, “They control the Iron Coast; they could check the matter quicker than we could.”
“I do not trust Ginn Graw. He’s only married to my daughter to strengthen our houses’ alliances. With his father dead, Ginn and his brother Gavel are wild and reckless. It’s too easy to corrupt weak hearts such as theirs with magic,” the king explained. “That is why I must ask one more thing from you.”
“Anything, my lord,” Darius said.
“Xavier has to marry Arabella, to prevent the kingdom from falling into their hands if anything goes wrong.”
Darius nodded in response.
“I know of Isabella and Xavier. She has been told the plan, and if anyone can cure Arabella’s cruel heart, it will be Xavier,” the king said with a smile.
While the others were inside the war room planning the future, Xavier and Isabella strolled through the vast fields of the Emerald Meadows.
“It’s so peaceful here,” Isabella said, taking in a deep breath of the fresh air, “I can feel my soul recharging.”
“I take it palace life is draining. Maybe you should run away and live here,” Xavier replied with a smirk.
Isabella playfully shoved him off the path. “Don’t tease like that,” she said, with a hint of sorrow in her eyes.
Xavier walked towards her, gently taking hold of her hands and bringing them to his chest. “I’m sorry. Have you been wishing that was so?” he asked softly, looking into her eyes. “I know what will cheer you up.”
A small smile appeared across Isabella’s face.
Xavier turned away from her, closed his eyes, and called for his two gigas lions. Saya, Jupiter, come to me.
The sound of two roars echoed across the fields.
“Here they come,” Isabella said with excitement.
The two lions came running towards them, their golden fur glistening in the sun. Xavier hugged both lions before jumping onto Saya’s back.
“Come on, Isabella, jump on Jupiter, and we’ll go for a ride through the forest,” Xavier said, trying to hurry her up.
Isabella climbed onto Jupiter’s back, and the two set off.
Xavier and Isabella rode deep into the forest, discovering a serene spot where the forest ceiling opened up, allowing a cascade of sunlight. The two found a comfortable spot on the ground to sit, while Saya and Jupiter wandered off into the forest.
“Isabella, are you okay?” Xavier asked.
“The more we’re together, the harder it is for me to accept what is about to take place,” Isabella replied.
Xavier could hear heartbreak in her voice. He held her hand as they turned and looked at each other. Her long, dark brown hair covered the sorrow on her face.
“Tell me what is bothering you,” Xavier said as he brushed aside her hair.
“Father told me you have to marry Arabella. He has also asked your father to take you and your knights on a dangerous mission, so either way, I’ll lose you,” Isabella said, tears rolling down her cheek.
Xavier dropped his head, and then embraced her tightly. “I will always love you, and our hearts will be forever joined no matter what happens.”
“I love you too,” Isabella replied, resting her head on his shoulder.
The two stayed in the forest for a while, lying in silence, savouring each other’s company while they listened to the enchanting music of the forest. However, the melody was interrupted by the thumping footsteps of Tiberius.
“Princess, your father is waiting for you. We’ll escort you back to the manor now,” Darius said.
The sun was setting over the manor, and all were bidding their goodbyes.
“Darius, Sol will meet you here in two days with your new armour and weapons,” the king said, “Then, you must make haste to the Iron Coast.”
“It will be done, my lord,” Darius replied.
The king, Isabella, and his bodyguards mounted their horses and left through the manor gates. Just before they vanished from sight, Isabella turned around and mouthed the words, “Farewell, Xavier. I love you.” Then, they faded away from view.
Knights of Malsdon is an impressive debut as the author weaves a yarn that stretches across several decades in the kingdom of Malsdon. The opening scene is quite immersive and pulls the reader quickly into the world of knights, magic, honor and combat. The introduction to the different regions of Malsdon and the important noble families that live there are also naturally woven into the narrative.
The head of House Leo, Darius, and his son Xavier are immediately likeable and easy to follow and root for as a bright force for good. Their interactions with the king and his daughter Isabella, as well as with the Silverlights, a fellow noble family, come across as authentic and their dynamics deepen our understanding of who the characters are. What is occasionally missing is a physical description of some of the characters, with more focus on characters with a physical feature that stands out, like the Silverlights' silver hair or Darius' large stature and bald head.
In terms of plot, the story is full of battles and betrayal, as well as twists and turns and some emotionally charged scenes between characters that are nicely juxtaposed with the more action-heavy scenes. The evil forces that threaten Malsdon are set up within the context of the great mage war that the kingdom is still recovering from. It would have been amazing to see even more history and a deeper exploration of the position of mages/witches in society. The fact that they are barren and so have a complicated relationship with mothers and motherhood is an outstanding detail that could come into play to an even larger extent for even more jaw-dropping twists.
The author successfully builds a world that is undeniably inspired in classic sword and sorcery, but also unique in its brutality and the magic that runs through the very land. The gigas beasts and their bonds with humans are an especially brilliant touch, with some snippets even being written from their perspective. It would be amazing to read even more about them and how the bonds work, with some fascinating detail already hinted at in terms of allowing a bond to form naturally as opposed to magically forcing it. The gigas lioness Saya gets so much time in the limelight that she becomes a standout character of the same caliber as some of the human characters, which is wonderful to see in a fantasy book! The fact that she can steal the readers' hearts without even speaking makes the story even better.
The use and abuse of magic is another strong theme in the book, with characters using it for either good or evil, and being tempted to join the dark side is an interesting motif that is repeated with several different characters. There is also a good sister/evil sister trope that is explored in a very interesting way, and it would have been great to have more of the evil sister's perspective just to add depth and moral ambiguity to the characters. It would also be lovely to find out more about the magic system and how exactly the characters channel their magic, what their limitations are, and what it means to draw magic from Malsdon vs. from the Forgotten Lands.
Family and honor are another two great main themes, with the good side fighting to uphold those values and the evil side trying to corrupt them, which leads to some really intense and emotional scenes. The battles are described in great detail, which is quite exciting, and the violence is brutal enough to be memorable, but never gratuitous.
One small thing that can be confusing are two typically female names, Artemis and Aurelia, assigned to male characters, but fantasy is definitely a genre where authors can have free reign with that and subvert expectations. There are also many interesting and complex female characters, both good and evil, with Isabella, River Silverlight, and of course the twins Liliana and Artoria as the greatest standouts. River in particular stands out early on as a badass woman who needs no love interest because she prefers fighting men to marrying them, isn't afraid of speaking her mind and asserting her expertise in battle, and is generally accepted just the way she is. She would be a fantastic role model for rebel girls!
Overall, while some minor details in the worldbuilding, time jumps, scene transitions and character descriptions could be polished just a little bit more, Knights of Malsdon is an entertaining epic fantasy with a clear point of view, likeable characters and a lot of potential for sequels set in the same world.