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Reviewed by Alija Turkovic for Readers' Favorite
Set in the medieval world of Oren, Daniel Dydek's By Ways Unseen is a magical tale of the adventures of Haydren, a young and ambitious swordsman. Initially, Haydren's sole goal is to prove himself as a skilled swordsman. Little does he know that he has a transformative destiny ahead of him. Lasserain, a dangerous mage, seeks to bring destruction to each province across the land. Simultaneously, Haydren's life is threatened by his rival, Guntsen, the power-hunger son of Earl Junei. After Guntsen poisons Junei, he collaborates with Lasserain to take Haydren's life. Through the guidance of an unknown voice, Haydren goes on a perilous quest to defeat Lasserain. He is joined by Geoffrey, a knight from Hodp, Sarah, a sorceress, and Pladt, a well-known archer. Together, they must overpower Lasserain's forces of darkness. Will their precarious quest end in triumph or failure?
In By Ways Unseen, Daniel Dydek skillfully combines personal agendas, fantasy, adventure, and mystery to produce an engrossing story that holds readers' attention throughout. The inclusion of magic, creature lore, and dragons helps intensify the suspense. Haydren and his companions are all fully developed, multi-dimensional characters. I love that each of them has an intriguing rationale for embarking on this grueling journey to confront Lasserain. Haydren is by far the most fascinating one of all. His determination to forge his own path, despite an alternative destiny unfolding before him, adds complexity to his story. This immersive tale completely comes to life due to Dydek's brilliant imagery and captivating writing style. The well-balanced pacing, a beautiful blend of contemplative moments, and action-driven sequences make this novel a must-read for fantasy lovers, with its unique characters and deft narrative.