Synopsis
Tales of the Bringer of Urrinan had been told for generations, but never had the prophecy felt so near to so many. Elan wasn’t sure if she even believed one man could cause the sort of upheaval that would change the world. And yet, just as the prophecy foretold, dark forces were on the rise—including the many Spali warbands raiding across the borderlands.
It was in pursuit of one such warband when Elan’s host discovered the hidden compound of the Outcast. She’d heard how the former chieftain of the mighty Amalus Clan had been unjustly accused of murdering his rival. How the conflict had begun over a woman. How the Outcast’s son—born of that same woman—perfectly matched the prophecy’s foretelling of the Bringer.
Prophecy aside, it seemed that fate had led Elan into the midst of a legend. Because of a choice made in the heat of battle, Elan found herself bound to an outlaw hunted by friend and foe alike. Whether she believed in the prophecy or not, she found herself entangled with a lone figure who vowed to seek the sort of upheaval that might just change the world.
Could Vahldan, son of the Outcast, truly be the Bringer of Urrinan?
Review
Vaughn Roycroft’s The Severing Son is a book that has been on my radar since its release, and I’m glad to say I finally read it. Very glad. This is a refreshing break from many of the current trends and tropes of the current era of Fantasy and something that is both more human, meaningful and—in its own way—epic.
The Severing Son is a story that features a set of main characters, focusing on Valdhan and Elan primarily, but the real main character is the world itself. Filled with political rivalries, strange customs, and intriguing history, this book sets the stage in a way that lifts its characters and their motives to greater heights.
While this could be taken as a simple story of revenge, Valdhan seeking retribution for his father’s exile and murder, the plot truly centers around the grand fate of Dania itself.
I particularly enjoyed the interactions between characters who all felt they had their own desires beyond serving the plot. Valdhan reminds me of several characters during different points in the plot, but the best comparison I have for him is Paul Atriedes from Dune meets Rand Al’thor from Wheel of Time. Really, if you strip those books of their trappings (lots of magic, outer space, etc.) and bring them back to something tribal and more intimate, this is the story you would get.
The prose is also often beautiful, haunting, and at times dread-inducing. This is one of those books that made me tell my friends all about how good it was upon starting it. Roycroft paints a picture of hope and triumph, bleakness and defeat, and expertly pulls at the heartstrings in ways few authors do.
Unlike many of the books that I see being released, The Severing Son feels fresh and meaningful. Where I can make guesses at influences, this author is not beholden to any one story as an inspiration. In that way, it reminds me of another indie gem, The Bleeding Stone by Joseph John Lee. Both books are beautiful and gripping with unique takes on the fantasy genre, and if I can be honest—both are entirely too slept on.
Perhaps my only critique is that at times the pacing could feel uneven. Where the beginning and the end were fast-paced and raw, there were bits in the middle that felt like they dragged on more than I would have liked. It’s not a horrible knock, I still looked forward to my time with the book, as I’m looking forward to getting to the sequel, Bold Ascension.
This is a book that deserves your attention. Pick it up, read it, then read the next one. I know I will be.
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