Child of Vanris - The Warden's Son 1
Formats: E-Book, Paperback
At five years old, Kasiel was found with the pointed ends of his ears cut off. Despite that brutal start, he’s lived twelve peaceful years with the man who took him in. Keeping his hair long over his mutilated ears helps him hide the fact that he is Vanrian, a child of the enemy.
Everything changes when mercenaries arrive hunting for Kasiel. The last people he expects to come to his rescue are Vanrian soldiers, one of whom claims to be his spirit brother, whatever that means. They plan to take him across the war zone to deliver him to his real father, a man whose name strikes terror in his enemies.
With his secret exposed, Kasiel can’t return to his old home. This is his chance to find out who he was supposed to be. It means traveling to a foreign land where they have unusual psychic abilities he never knew existed. It also means leaving behind everything he’s ever cared about. If he is to survive, he will need to learn their language and culture and become a soldier in a war between those who have magic and those who do not.
Meanwhile, the man who cut Kasiel’s ears will do anything to keep him out of his true father’s hands, even if it means killing him.
Child of Vanris is the first in a complete four-book epic fantasy series. A Readers' Favorite 5-star read and finalist in the 2025 BBNYA Awards and the 2025 OZMA Fantasy Fiction Awards.
For more in this world, check out the Daughter of Vanris trilogy, which takes place several years later with a new protagonist, and the Warden's Rise short story, highlighting the tragic tale of one of the most popular side characters in the series.
Reviews
"Kasiel is forced to live among a group of people who must not find out his true identity. His previously pointed ears, which could have given him away, had been cut off by the time Edmund found him. Unfortunately, Kasiel's safety is threatened when his identity is discovered, forcing him to flee for his life and leave all he holds dear behind. Kasiel's life takes a sharp turn as he discovers more about his kind and joins a group of people who reveal to him his true identity and what he's capable of. Nikki McCormack's Child of Vanris: The Warden's Son, Book 1 is an engrossing tale about a magical world with strong, powerful characters who must fight for what they believe in. Nikki weaves a riveting story around a deadly war, heartbreaking secrets, and deep love feelings. Is Kasiel ready to handle the truth about his family and his past? Child of Vanris has the right mix of elements to cause you to lose track of time. Its brilliantly descriptive narrative will have you completely immersed in every scene. Nikki McCormack's intricate worldbuilding provides a fascinating combination of backstories and developing events. The book contains tales that have survived decades and a convincing origin story regarding an ongoing war between two kingdoms. It also maintains an air of mystery, which gradually gives way to captivating revelations and information about exciting magical elements, including an amazing connection between tattoos and abilities, controlling animals with thoughts, and more. Child of Vanris is one of the finest fantasy books I've come across."
