Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

Outlanders: Malefactor, The First Of The Fallen is written by David G Hernandez. Their name is Malefactor, the elusive patron saint of ungodly deeds. They are about to encounter a Traveler searching for the truth behind the origin of the Known Universe. The Traveler has journeyed across the cosmos with no restrictions until his passage is cut short by a mysterious voice. That voice belongs to Malefactor who warns the Traveler that his arrogance will lead him toward horrifying darkness that he may not want to face. Although the Malefactor offers answers, the Traveler disagrees and continues his journey. As the Malefactor becomes an interested observer of the Traveler’s fate, three Caelestis arrive to take him to the Kingdom, where shocking truths await. However, the Traveler is not prepared for the fate that awaits him. As the story unravels, the Traveler's search for enlightenment is not what he was expecting, but will he accept the truth behind his existence and his ultimate destiny?

Outlanders: Malefactor, The First Of The Fallen by David G Hernandez has a very intelligent plot that will make you reflect on your own actions and behaviors. The characters are so vivid and lifelike, especially the Caelestis; they were truly chilling beings. My favorite character, however, was Tsadqiel, I resonated so much with his moral compass. I loved the psychological battle between the Malefactor and Traveler; their verbal exchanges were fantastic. The descriptive narrative was superb too, the darkness and eeriness of the setting made for such a compelling read. There are moments of great tension and some exciting battle scenes but also segments of brilliant humor too. I thought there were so many powerful observations throughout, especially regarding mankind’s arrogance which has led to the environmental catastrophes on Earth. We are reminded that there is no corner of the planet where man has not left their ‘destructive thumbprint.’

I loved this quote from the book around our annihilation of the natural order of the Universe, which actually had a profound effect on me: ‘They have an exaggerated sense of self-importance, with no concern for those who inherit it.’ I also thought the manner in which the Caelestis followed orders without question, even though they are capable of thinking for themselves, perfectly highlights how mankind sometimes behaves in a similar way. They follow rules and regulations set by those in power with such unquestioning obedience. The action is continuous with layer upon layer of revelations uncovered. An amazing read and one which I would highly recommend.