I just discovered a new fantasy series from the 1990’s – The Wayfarer Redemption by Sara Douglass. The first book has the same title as the series and introduces us to the land of Achar, ruled by King Prium. Prium has no children, so his dead sister’s two sons are pretenders to the throne. Borneheld, Duke of Ichtar is her legitimate son and Axis, a bastard son from an unknown father.
The spiritual needs of the kingdom are served by the Seneschal, who teach love for the god Artor and hatred of the Forbidden, creatures defeated in a great war a millennia ago, who are now relegated to the mountains and forest at the edge of the kingdom. The leader of the Seneschal’s fighting forces is Axis, King Prium’s nephew.
As the book opens, other creatures are threatening from the north and bringing with them unnatural winter. Axis is sent to accompany Faraday, Borneheld’s fiancé, to a sanctuary in the east and to make contact with members of the Seneschal who may have access to writings that could help defeat these creatures.
However, Axis discovers a prophesy which reveals much about himself, Faraday, and the creatures known as the Forbidden. All have a role to play in the wars to come, but like all prophesies, nothing is clear, and there is much to be discovered along the way.
The Wayfarer Redemption held my attention though all 600+ pages. There is intrigue, love, mystery, sibling rivalry, back-stabbing, and magic, everything necessary for a good fantasy series. Pick it up today.