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Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Sentinals Origins by Helen Garraway is part one of the fantasy series Sentinals. In Remargaren, unchecked wild magic threatens stability as a covert faction rises, seeking to twist its forces for their own gain. Leyandrii, a goddess charged with safeguarding the realm, and her captain, Guerlaire, confront the growing danger while Guerlaire masters new abilities. At the same time, three cadets embark on rigorous training to join the Lady’s Rangers. Among them, Birler, a boy from Vespers, faces hostility and unfamiliar challenges within the Academy. He must navigate prejudice, build trust among fellow trainees, and awaken dormant powers linked to the world's ancient magic. As conflict escalates, Birler and his comrades must not only complete their training but also stand with Leyandrii and Guerlaire to prevent the forces of chaos from overtaking their world.
Helen Garraway’s Sentinals Origins is an excellent fantasy with a lot of moving parts, each of which melds perfectly into the origin story that the author creates for the rest of the series. Birler’s growth is really well done, as he evolves from an uncertain, impoverished young man into a competent and self-assured cadet. The intense relationship between Guerlaire and Leyandrii brings a unique sizzle, and sparks fly when Garraway allows us into the more intimate moments. The setting details are striking. I love the juxtaposition of the beauty of the temple, contrasting against the grim, impoverished reality of Harbourtown, both of which stand out as entrenched social divides. Ways of life vary, and as a reader with total wanderlust, the Terolian nomadic culture and its reliance on the sun, sand, and stars for navigation, and its reverence for family are really lovely. The Ascendants, who seek to control and corrupt, are worthy antagonists in a powerful story that makes me want to carry on. Very highly recommended.
