Larry Z. Daily brings us an epic fantasy in The Minstrel and the Prophet. Lauren is about to undergo the Rite of Accession for his 14th turn of the seasons. This is a huge event, especially for the son of a warrior in the High King’s army. His father expects him to become a warrior like him, but Lauren wants to be a minstrel. One fateful day, Lauren’s father attacks him, and Lauren decides to go to Songhaven to become a minstrel. At Songhaven, Lauren has finally found a place that brings peace to his heart. This is also where he meets Master Ambrose, who tells him of the prophecy of the Lawbreaker. Together they must race to save the Federated Kingdoms against a threat they cannot yet see.

Author Larry Z. Daily has created a world filled with informative dialogue and a wealth of sensory stimulation. The pace is set from the beginning by luring the reader in with interesting characters and descriptive scenery. The plot was phenomenally designed with a slow reveal that teases the reader and drives them to keep reading. Written in the first-person narrative from the perspective of the protagonist, this allows for personal thoughts to be revealed. Readers are also privy to selected observations, which make this story so intriguing. The Minstrel and the Prophet is the first book in The Chronicles of the Lawbreaker and is suitable for younger readers as well. Scenes of violence and intimacy are mild and not descriptive at all. I eagerly await the next book to find out what happens.

In The Minstrel and the Prophet by Larry Z. Daily, people notice throughout the Federated Kingdoms that animals are born deformed, crops are failing, and people are unsettled because of raider strikes from the neighboring Kelmar Empire. Lauren, a young boy whose only dream is to become a minstrel, an itinerant musician scholar for the Federated Kingdoms, lives in a backwater village with his highly decorated war hero father. Lauren’s plans are quashed when his father demands he start warrior training after failing the test as a wizard. Fellow students beat Lauren outside warrior training. As he heals, Lauren spends a great deal of time learning from and talking with Ryan, a minstrel. Being a Minstrel of the Federated Kingdoms is his true passion, but his father refuses to yield. Lauren flees with Ryan to the Minstrel College of Songhaven where he spends several seasons training as a minstrel and growing closer to Ambrose, the Master of the College and Prophet. Lauren learns about the history of the Federated Kingdoms, prophecies, and the ever-growing concern that the Lawbreaker has returned to destroy the world. Together with Ambrose, Lauren is on a mission to save the High King’s life, but he is always aware that some dark power is hunting him. Is it the Lawbreaker or some other dark force?

The Minstrel and the Prophet by Larry Z. Daily will take you into the realm of the Federated Kingdoms. Daily is an expert at taking the reader on an adventure into the fantastical realm of magic, minstrels, and wizards. The reader is transported into the Federated Kingdoms, where times are strained and trouble is brewing. This book is filled with intrigue, suspense, and great storytelling. The reader is transported back to the time of minstrels, magic, dark forces, and kingdoms long forgotten. Each character is brought to life through detail and with a vision the reader easily sees playing out before them. Daily’s plot is well-developed, clearly written, and is an absolute joy to read. This book had me captivated from the start. I highly recommend The Minstrel and the Prophet and applaud the author. I look forward to reading Book Two.