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Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
In RJD Ferguson's Awakening of Shadows, book two in the epic fantasy The Alfarbani series, Al Ornfel begins as a farmer’s son in Harding, a republic where ordinary villages stand in the path of an army serving Cygnus, a commander tied to an imprisoned ancient ruler called the Dokkalfar. After Steven Waistwain betrays him, Al is driven from his home, then learns that his blood carries Alfarbani power, the same force Cygnus wants to use for conquest. Al returns with the northern clans to defend Harding before the invasion reaches its capital. Steven comes back as an officer in the Odio military, hiding his service to Cygnus while gaining control inside Al’s homeland. In York, Tyr, Al’s childhood friend, becomes a master smith when an old dwarven forge responds to him, making his craft part of the coming war.
Awakening of Shadows by RJD Ferguson leans into its title, linking Harding magic rising from family secrecy into open war. The world-building is excellent, with the Five Kingdoms bound to royal courts and the Odio Order turning rank into law. Al is a supremely likeable lead, and his courage is tested in battle. Still, it is Lady Krystal Blackthorne, a noblewoman of York’s court, that I found most fascinating. She's witty and intelligent, and I was won over by her protection of Tyr at the royal ball. This is a woman not afraid to meet danger and use her access to get there. Cygnus is the novel’s most chilling antagonist, and the author paints a perfect picture of a servant of Trigon. The cinematic settings are brilliant, from Thorncliffe’s escarpment swallowed by fear fog, to the spiral descent toward Veshk-Dazhul’s pedestal orb. Well written and immersive, I'm excited to see where the author takes us next.
