MagiTech & Hope-Fueled Fantasy
Quick Thoughts
Modern fantasy is filled with stories that defy genre norms and do new and interesting things with the medium. Crownfall by Michael Vadney is a tale in this vein, the kind of spin on classic fantasy that has just enough elements to feel familiar for genre faithful while also innovating enough to be something new and compelling. The story blends well-worn tropes like a scheming dark lord and a revenge driven young protagonist with more unique elements like a pacifist magical engineer and a young woman sidled with caring for her family’s legacy and her aging, sick mother. When paired with the magi-tech that feels almost as sci-fi as it does fantasy and a setting characterized by colonialism, you are presented with something truly original.
Alongside it’s very intriguing premise, Crownfall’s story is well paced, tightly plotted, and uses all its character POV’s to deliver an extremely efficient story that offers a glimpse into what feels like a much bigger universe. While this, at times, can leave the reader with unanswered questions and under explored avenues, it reads like something written by a seasoned author, rather than a fresh debut. The action moves quickly, telling an emotional, hope-filled story which leaves the reader feeling deeply satisfied, while also creating more than enough potential for a series or further installments in this world. A perfect pick up for fans those looking for a book with vibes similar to Netflix’s Arcane or Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn.
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