Prepare yourself for an epic fantasy ride with A.A. Smith's Iseris: House of Power. Mora is a nineteen-year-old teenager from the small village of Wheyn in the Midlands of Augstia. Unlike most of her classmates, Mora doesn't seem to have any magical abilities yet has a penchant for fixing things. However, Mora's humdrum life turns upside down when bombs are dropped on her village, and she loses her mother and best friend in the pandemonium. After traversing multiple towns and cities, Mora stumbles upon the compound of Emperor Oru and his extended family. Alongside the emperor's niece, Somnus, a powerful purple caster, she sets off in search of her family. Meanwhile, the war spreads across Augstia, and Mora discovers some uncomfortable truths about her parents and Augstia's rulers. With Augstia on the brink of civil war, what lies ahead in Mora's future?

Iseris is an enthralling coming-of-age story set in a fantastical world ravaged by war. A.A. Smith has knocked it out of the park with this first installment of an epic fantasy saga. The author has incorporated elements of flintlock fantasy into a setting featuring a hard magic system, creating a unique fantasy world rich in lore, history, and distinct cultures. The plot is not only unpredictable but also very complex. So much happens throughout the book. Smith uses a large cast of characters, yet everyone has a well-developed personality and an important role in the story. Mora, Somnus, Makula, and Qyung all come from different backgrounds but develop close friendships so that you find yourself rooting for them. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to young adult epic fantasy fans.

Iseris: House of Power by A.A. Smith follows Mora Hytich, a teenage girl from Weyne, a small village in Augstia who, just like her parents, wants nothing more than to live a simple life. Knowing that her magical abilities will never be at the same level as her peers, she resigns herself to staying in her hometown. However, when disaster strikes, Mora finds herself on an unlikely adventure in the middle of a war with friends both new and old. And through it all, she uncovers some secrets she never thought to be possible.

Iseris: House of Power by A.A. Smith is a fascinating novel. The story kicks off pretty early and the pacing is relatively fast throughout the plot; however, it was always easy to keep up with everything. I found Mora’s character to be really interesting and relatable because she reminded me of an ordinary girl in the middle of a magical world. I enjoyed watching her character development and seeing her grow into herself. I also enjoyed the supporting characters who each added various layers of mystery and intrigue to the story. Smith did a wonderful job with world-building, incorporating unique magic systems and various creatures into the world of Augstia. I also found the writing style and tone unique as they gave a different edge to the story and how it was read. It’s not often that authors write in this tense but it added to the uniqueness of Iseris. Overall, I found this book enjoyable and would definitely recommend giving it a read.

Iseris: House of Power by A.A. Smith tells the story of Mora, a young woman from a small village in the Midlands region of Augstia. Mora's life turned upside down when her village was bombed, separating her from her family. She ends up with a group that consists of Somnus, a royal caster from the Mountains; Makula, a Vauslaun mercenary cleric; and Qyung, a Ghastinian scholar. All of them work together and eventually uncover a conspiracy that indicates the Augstian Emperor might not be the true ruler of the country. While they are trying to uncover the truth, they are trapped in the middle of the war between Augstia and its neighboring countries, Krolus, and Ghastin. The plot covers themes related to identity, power, and war outcomes, while Mora and her friends find their way through these difficult situations.

I loved how detailed the author was in this narrative, especially the fight scenes, conversations, and humor; it gave the book a cinematic feel. The author maintained a good narrative flow while also taking time to build on the characters' struggles and the political drama. I loved the names of the characters and places; their uniqueness added depth to the plot and helped create a strong connection. A.A. Smith's attention to detail in worldbuilding and the way the different cultures and power structures were explored are impressive. Iseris: House of Power is a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts, and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for stories with high action and drama.