In Nelson’s epic-fantasy series-starter, a group of monks tries to find a kingdom’s lost heir to stave off government corruption and monsters. In the world of Tesseris, four continents meet in a city called the Crux—a massive realm that’s full of foul and manipulative people. Long ago, before a cataclysmic event, the Kai’loth royals ruled. A sect of monks called the Patient established the Order of Drake Knights to find that royal family’s young heir. Miles is a Knight of Drakes who’s been searching for 10 years. Accompanying him on his quest is a wise elder, Alcwyn; a tough bar worker named Kendra; and a mountainous woodsman called Sig. Meanwhile, in the jungles of southern Tol’thuran, the elf ranger Qel searches for his older brother, Qerym, and any lost knowledge that might be worth bringing back to his people in Tol’gorul. When he does finally find his sibling, Qel becomes enmeshed in the fellow ranger’s transgressions. Also in play is the pirate ship Leviathan, which is run by Capt. Hakaan; he and his men set out from the Snakepit, a secret enclave of pirate vessels tethered together. The captain’s reckless cruelty sets a 14-year-old crewmember known as Sea Rat on a transformative journey. Meanwhile, back in the Crux, Damien is a reluctant pentarch representing the Kai’loth. He deals with morally bankrupt men, such as Pasaan, who want slavery to be legalized. Over the course of the novel, Nelson follows the epic-fantasy formula of a tracking multiple characters in various locations to express the world’s breadth. Politicians such as Damien reveal aspects of the wealthy echelons of society, while those such as the half-elf seamstress Fei illustrate the lives of those who struggle. The most intriguing moments are when plot threads darkly connect, as when Qerym lies about knowing the fate of Miles. Readers who are searching for more profane medieval tales, such as that found in the genre’s most popular series (including George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire) will find lines like this: “And I been pirating since ’fore your gran’m’ther spread ’er legs for whichever man made yer own whore of a mum.” The story also revels in instances of savage comeuppance, though occasionally, as when Fei giggles while killing, the effect is ghoulish. The stately prose effectively depicts the Crux’s politics, as when one character suggests that one should “do a little wrong so you could see the right thing done in the end.” Sometimes, however, simpler prose would serve the narrative better (“He was not unhandsome, rather quite the opposite”). Overall, this series opener is a bulky fantasy buffet. Giant creatures and elves recall classic works such as Dune and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Yet here, as in many modern narratives, children and teenagers suffer the worst, apparently for emotional effect. Whether this strategy will translate into memorable character arcs in future installments remains to be seen. A complex and occasionally grotesque series opener with elements that will be familiar to genre fans.

In this marathon first installment of his Annals of Tessian series, Nelson interweaves several threads in the realms of Tesseris, a once-united empire that has been shattered by ancient forces. According to legend, the Imperial Dynasty of Kai’loth once ruled Tesseris peacefully, until the empire fell and its rulers were all but destroyed. Now the scattered lands are controlled by five pentarchs in the capital city of Crux, a place renowned for its corruption–but rumors are spreading of an heir to the old dynasty, and the Order of Drake Knights is tasked with finding him and restoring him to power. Nelson’s saga is a tangled web of deception, betrayal, and bravery that will keep readers guessing until the very end. He delivers a satisfyingly diverse cast that is sure to please fantasy fans: elf brothers Qel and Qerym know the secrets of the ancient stories, Pentarch Damien has just been reelected and is desperately trying to root out a traitor in the Crux, and a band of independent warriors has stumbled onto an heir with unknown powers. As they try to deliver him alive to one of the last known Ancients—who can train him to fulfill his destiny—their every move is threatened by a terrifying power that is consuming entire villages in its wake. Nelson keeps the tension high: a brutal pirate dead set on revenge inflicts horror at every turn, and his connection to the quest is a mystery until the cliffhanger ending. Despite this epic fantasy’s sheer volume of names and pages, Nelson manages to keep readers engaged with a well-paced and easy-to-follow plot. He expertly sets the stage for future stories and reveals just enough about each character to pique the interest of readers who enjoy intricate narratives and immersive worldbuilding–and the heroic quest at the novel’s heart proves an inviting way to transport readers through an abundance of extraordinary settings. This elaborate meld of fable and fantasy entertains and surprises.