The Watcher shattered the Gates.
Now hope must arise from the shards.
Darin and Suriin enter the Black Palace of the So’Dal, at a time when monstrous Edgelands creatures return to the skies over Caldera.
After exhibiting magical traits thought lost, Darin is drawn into a secret society charged with keeping the Watcher’s secrets. Now he must balance learning to control his magic, caring for Star, his new companion, and finding a way to sustain the Howlers’ power for long enough to protect Caldera from the predatory creatures of the Edgelands.
Before she arrived at the Black Palace Suriin broke the ancient rules of the So’Dal to save the life of the person she loves the most. As her search for a cure delves deeper under the mountain, is there any price she won’t pay?
On the outer moon of Tebein, Elissa’s newly awakened magic will endanger her home and family. Now she must race to find help for those she leaves behind as she escapes those who want her, and all those like her, dead.
One wrong decision by any of them could return legends to life and end five hundred cycles of peace. Will they find the solutions they need in time?
Gates of Hope is the first book in a new trilogy by J.E. Hannaford called Aulirean Gates.
I’m simple. I hear the word gates (portals? I love portals! Give me portals! More portals, please) and I see a hint of a good boy, and perhaps some dragons in space, and I’m there.
Looking at the cover, you’ll spot Star, the moonhound, and you’ll be pleased to hear that he is indeed a very good boy. I think when it comes to the magic system, you mostly need to know one thing: it is possible—at least for some people in this world—to telepathically connect with the moonhounds.
Surely, that alone makes this a must-buy?
While the worldbuilding is fascinating, and I do so love the concept of gates connecting worlds, Hannaford’s newest effort is primarily character driven.
There are three main characters, Darin, Suriin, and Elissa. Two of them are quite young, only just embarking on their journey, and as a result I’d call Gates of Hope a coming-of-age adventure fantasy. And because I’m rather old and grumpy, my favourite character turned out to be Elissa.
Elissa is the oldest of the three. She is strong, stubborn, grew up in captivity, but never let it break her spirit. My kind of character.
This isn’t a dark book, that’s not to say bad things don’t happen, but overall, the tone remains hopeful, and it reminds me of the adventure stories I used to devour as a child.
I can’t wait to see what’s in store for these characters and am eagerly awaiting the sequel.
Find Gates of Hope on Amazon and Goodreads
Guest Reviewer
Olivia is a Swiss lesbian who likes fiction in all forms. She’s currently trying to figure out her life, a thing she thinks she should have done a long time ago. In the meantime, she writes mostly science fiction and fantasy while traveling in order to pet as many dogs as possible.
Visit her website.
