Being a handmaiden for Thackery Thule hasn’t been easy. In fact, not much about Morigan Lostarot’s life has been easy but she is determined to make the most of the life she has been given. As such, she’s been on a long search for the rare fireroot that the recluse sorcerer requested. Determined to try all possible avenues to acquire this item, Morigan walks into the Armsman, and encounters a half-human, hulking blacksmith - Caenith. From that very moment, the chemistry between them is almost palpable and they cannot simply go their separate ways for good. Before long, Caenith isn’t able to control his more animal nature and the two also learn there is more to Morigan than meets the eye. Will they be able to rein in their otherworldly powers to defeat the Black Queen determined to take over everything?

Feast of Fates by Christian A. Brown is book one of the Four Feasts till Darkness series. I was excited to read the start of the fantasy series that turned out to be a blend of multiple genres (i.e. romance, suspense, fantasy). The writing was generally impeccable. At times, I was lost in the lives of the characters and encountered a sensory overload that made me stop to recover. That said, starting the book was daunting as there is an extensive list of characters that rivals some of the more well-known fantasy series. While it was overwhelming, the mass of characters was worked into the story well, and having a reference point was nice as I continued throughout the story.

Feast of Fates: A Novel of Geadhain is the first entry in the epic fantasy series, Four Feasts till Darkness by Christian A. Brown, a riveting story that follows the journey of Morigan as she rises to claim and master her magical abilities. When the story starts, she is just an ordinary woman, living as a handmaiden to an elderly sorcerer, Thackery Thule. Her life changes when she unintentionally encounters the Wolf, an encounter that opens her eyes to what she really is: an axis of magik, mystery, and Fate. She is destined to play a great role in Geadhain’s Great War. As she rises in power, she also creates many enemies in high places. With the Black Queen, Zionae, having a tight grip on Brutus, one of the Immortal kings, and her herald spreading darkness, the hope of the world might rest on the actions of Morigan. Does she have what it takes to stop the evil and save the Immortal kings and their realm or will darkness overpower her?

What is most fascinating about Feast of Fates is the world-building. The author imagines a magical world that readers will find enticing. Images of Zioch, the City of Gold, shining like a star on the horizon contrasts with the darkness spread by The Dreamtalker. I found images of the natural elements like the black sky over the evergreen sea very fascinating. The descriptions are terrific, and it is creepy to read about the shapeless, bodiless, monstrous entity that has no empathy; the Black Queen. The City of Wonder is also wonderfully described in the novel and it is easy to imagine its magnificence and the magic it radiates. I liked the way the author handles the conflict, pitting powerful sorcerers against each other, and succeeding in inciting hatred for the villain in the reader. There is magic in the prose that makes it enjoyable. The words flow from energy that reflects the setting and the backdrop against which the story is told. The characters are rock solid, from the villainous Zionae to the Everfair King. Christian A. Brown is a great storyteller who creates characters that readers will adore and worlds they will enjoy.