Gharantia's Guardian (Chronicles of the Endless War) Paperback – November 1, 2023

I’ve just finished reading LM Douglas’ debut novel, Gharantia’s Guardian, book one in the Chronicles Of The Endless War series, and I could not wait to post a review.From the start, I was drawn immediately into the characters’ world. The writing just flows, and the scenes came alive in my mind. She has gift with character development, without being heavy handed or ponderous.The world we are introduced to has an interesting twist, one which I found to be completely original. I don’t want to spoil what it is, but suffice it to say it has echoes of Sleeping Beauty, without a century passing, and the full awareness of those whom it affects.The Queen, Velardis, who possesses the most powerful magic, has a hidden agenda, which includes the arrival of the one she has chosen to bond with. It was a shock to her cousin, the Princess Melane and her bond mate Guardian Criterious, as there had never been mention of him before.One of the most endearing characters is a young woodsman, Pilt, who finds himself on the wrong side of a law he had no knowledge of. He unwittingly has killed one of the Queen’s stags, gets arrested by the Queen’s foresters, and taken to Gharantia where his fate will be decided. There, chained in a cell, he meets Gharantia’s Guardian, Criterious, which is a pivotal point for them both. Mercy, and a silver coin are what Pilt is given, before he’s sent to fend for himself in a city he’s never seen before.All is not what it seems on the surface. There has been peace for many years, but the stirring of the gods, and rumblings of a second gods’ war has caused strange happenings, notably in the arrival of a large sailing vessel that has docked to repair storm damage. But the ship possesses more than just average sailors. All are wielders of magic, but one specifically is a being OF magic. And why are magical beings suddenly converging on Gharantia?Intrigue, treachery, magic, and epic fantasy await in this brilliant debut novel. It will leave you wanting more from this author! Looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

I loved this book! It ticked all the boxes for an epic, sweeping fantasy. In this intricately built world, women hold the power and the magic, only sharing it as needed. But the queen is keeping secrets from those closest to her, and the magic is changing. The Guardian, Criterious, strives to perform his duties to his country, even as he deals with the pain of his wife pulling away from him so she can investigate newfound powers she isn’t supposed to have. Beautiful writing and powerful imagery. Perfect for fans of The Kingkiller Chronicles and Game of Thrones.

This is a great debut novel, which makes me wait impatiently for the second book. The story is told really well, and keeps the reader engaged throughout. The world building is fantastic, and there is some really good character development. If you like fantasy stories with great characters and a slightly different way of how magic is used, then this is your next read!

I didn't know what to expect as this was my first experience of a fantasy novel. As it turned out I really enjoyed it. The story moves along at a good pace and the description brings the landscape and characters to life. Though it is quite a lengthy novel I found I read it quite quickly. The characters are well drawn and are easy to engage with and the twist and turns in the plot encourage you to read on. I will be looking out for the next book!

Had not read for about 3 years as nothing was holding my attention. Just started reading the prologue and I was hooked. What a totally enjoyable read. Loved the characters and enjoyed the journey of understanding more about them. Literally can't wait for book 2

I was quickly drawn into the world of Gharantia and its unique magical system and before long I was fully committed to the characters and their fates.Douglas left plenty of question marks to be answered in the next book of the series, and I loved how the apparently completely different players came together, moving the central plot forward.A must read for the fans of the fantasy genre and I'm looking to reading book 2!

Cold wet day so snuggled down with this book ! Loved the characters and so looking forward to next book ! Story keeps you hanging on and following the action . Def worth a read if you know anyone who loves this genre ! New name on the block but will look out for book 2