The Lost Keep


Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic
284 Pages
Reviewed on 06/25/2022
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Kaywall by Charles Embrey Jr. is an epic adventure fantasy novel inspired by tabletop role-playing games like D&D. King Zahn of the Grey Realm finds himself on the wrong end of a vengeful goddess's wrath when his beloved daughter Princess Abigail and his loyal subjects are trapped within the Kaywall keep. Cursed and lost to the world, the Kaywall keep only appears once a century. As champions over the centuries fail to rescue the princess and lift the curse, the goddess Athena chooses a young paladin named Clovis for the task. With his mentor Warhawk, Clovis undertakes a quest for the ages, alongside Garth the bard, Harry the supreme wizard, Bryce the cleric, and eventually Jeanara the ranger. But their bold journey is filled with monsters, betrayal, and dark magic. Can Clovis fulfill his quest?

If you grew up playing tabletop games such as D&D, you're bound to have a good time reading Kaywall. Author Charles Embrey Jr. brings a sense of old-school nostalgia for adventure fantasy lovers with a thoroughly imaginative and fleshed-out world filled with brave heroes, terrifying monsters, elves, dwarves, wizards, beautiful princesses, and much more. The plot moves quickly in a conventional adventure fantasy arc, which somehow still feels fresh, nevertheless. The characters are colorful and vibrant. Each embodies the different facets of heroes, villains, and everyone in-between that you find in tabletop games. Clovis is a likable protagonist you can't help rooting for. I thoroughly enjoyed his relationship dynamic with Warhawk and Garth. Kaywall is a rewarding experience for anyone itching for an epic fantasy adventure.