Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite

From time immemorial, a physical barrier has always separated the Hooni'i, a mostly peaceful race, from the Zauphrii to the north and the Rauthlin to the south. Ancient scrolls describe a rebellion supported by one faction and violently suppressed by the other, resulting in the barrier established by Elyon, the great deity, to separate the warring factions. While most Hooni'i believe the barrier is permanent, Bumpus Glettlebottom, a northern Hooni'i village icon and a well-known inventor, does not share this belief. His recent dreams and visions push him to recruit his daughter's friend, Giron, and investigate the fabric of the barriers, anticipating the unknown. The duo does not realize it, but dangerous times are coming for their people as an ancient prophecy unravels in Elyon's Barriers by Bobby Wayne.

Bobby Wayne's Elyon's Barriers is the first book in The Chronicles of the Zauphrii series. It features intricate world-building, emphasizing the differences in the cultures, lore, and military command structures of the Hooni'i, Zauphrii, and Rauthlin. This approach creates a detailed setting that helps readers understand each faction's unique perspective on the Rebellion, a key moment in the narrative, and better relate to characters whose motives resonate with them. The skillful blending of Bumpus's flashbacks with the Hooni'i elders' colorful storytelling for their youth perfectly captures his origin story. Wayne balances vivid battle sequences and Bumpus's adventures with elements of the Christian faith, such as the recurring question about what constitutes clean and unclean foods, and the critical role that dreams and visions play in decision-making. He also integrates characters resembling well-known Christian figures, like the Seraphim. Wayne weaves these components together with a handy pronunciation guide and map, a steady pace, and a poetic, descriptive style that creates an exciting adventure, likely to appeal to the fantasy purists. I enjoyed Elyon's Barriers and look forward to the next installment of this captivating series.