Maygest's Tale is a work of fiction in the fantasy, action, and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author C. E. Cannery. The work is intended for the mature adult reading audience and contains scenes of moderate violence and the use of explicit language throughout. Our protagonist is the titular Maygest, an enigmatic, aging thief, who sees his whole conning lifestyle in Osskrip go up in smoke when local warlords come to call. In an effort to recoup his losses and get out of town, Maygest discovers another bump in the road: a child that may indeed be his son. So begins a sweeping adventure that takes us through a fascinating foreign land with a loveable anti-hero who is running out of time.

It is so unusual these days to see fantasy fiction that doesn’t revolve around a typically young and able-bodied leading figure, and author C. E. Cannery has crafted an engrossing and original work around this diverse presentation of character. Grimy, quirky, and gorgeously penned, I was hooked on this world and its inhabitants from the first page. One of the most essential features of this work was the talent the author displays in worldbuilding, through such details as the political and military structure of Osskrip and its outlying lands, and Maygest’s place within it all. This added a layer of realism and believability to the fantasy setting that really grounded it and allowed the characters to hit home in the most emotional moments of the tale. Overall, I would highly recommend Maygest's Tale to fans of gripping fantasy adventures, witty and heartfelt emotional dramas, and for fantasy readers everywhere seeking something utterly unique.

Maygest’s Tale by C. E. Cannery is a delightful and twisty epic fantasy tale. Maygest is an old arthritic thief who has conned the people of the war-torn Kingdom of Osskrip for a decade now. But when the towns are razed down by enemy forces, all his plans evaporate. With no one left to rob, the thief decides to rob the war camp. There is no gold or silver to steal, but he discovers something else — his own child. Now the old man has found a purpose, something to live and die for. Taking his son, a little girl he adopts, and an old friend, he sets out on a journey to find a legendary harp rumored to bring peace to the land. But he has also attracted the fury of the army against himself and his motley group. Can he succeed in this mission?

Maygest’s Tale should be a bestseller for many reasons. The writing is spectacular, lyrical, and filled with descriptions that bring things to life. The dialogues are wonderfully crafted, and I enjoyed how they move the story forward and help in character development and the exploration of themes. I fell in love with the protagonist right off the bat, and from the moment he contemplates the people holding onto their children, through his adventures to the war camp, through rescuing his child, and taking the long journey filled with impossible odds, I could not stop following this character. The exquisite writing and C. E. Cannery’s ability to meld elements of the setting seamlessly into the scenes elevate the quality of the story and augment the entertainment potential. Maygest’s Tale is a spellbinder and a delightful tale of a man’s journey to find purpose in a war-torn land; it is gritty and filled with humanity. One of the best stories I have read on redemption and how a child can transform a man.